Precipitation Type
This scheme is a modified "Top-Down" precipitation type deterministic model that runs within NSHARP. The program
determines the highest level that will likely produce precipitation. Then, the precipitation is followed downward
to the ground. Environmental temperatures are evaluated during the decent, watching when snowflakes melt or raindrops
freeze.
If there are inversion layers in the sounding that warm above freezing, the positive and negative areas are computed
for these inversions to determine whether the precipitation will likely fall as liquid or frozen particles. When the
precipitation finally reaches the ground, the final precipitation-type is reported in this box.