Frank McDonough
Research Scientist Atmospheric Science
Phone
775-674-7140
E-Mail
Full Resume / CV
Division
Atmospheric Sciences
Research Areas
⇒18 years experience working as a research and forecast meteorologist.
⇒ Worked on projects relating to: aviation icing forecasting, weather modification research and operations, wind turbine icing, energy weather product development, and aircraft cloud instrumentation.
⇒ Demonstrated expertise in supercooled cloud physics. Expert in identifying, analyzing, and differentiating clouds that contain supercooled liquid water, ice, and mixed phase.
⇒ Expert knowledge working with research aircraft data sets that include cloud particle and aerosol measurements.
⇒ Icing weather forecaster and data analyst for research aircraft.
⇒ Demonstrated expertise working with climate data sets.
⇒ Experience working with and verifying numerical weather data.
⇒ Expert analyst of most observational data types, radar and satellite imagery, as well as high-resolution numerical model output. Using these data I co-developed operational diagnostic and forecast cloud models that detect supercooled liquid water and tropical clouds containing high mass concentrations of small ice crystals. These systems passed peer review and meet the needs of the general aviation community. Examples include CIP and FIP, which are used as guidance at the Aviation Weather Center. http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/icing/
⇒ Expert knowledge testing and verifying numerical model output.
⇒ Extensive experience working with large programs using software tools and programming languages such as; UNIX, Matlab, C++, FORTRAN, and shell scripting.
Education
| DEGREE | YEAR | INSTITUTION | AREA |
| M.Sci | 2010 | Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO | Atmospheric Science |
| B.Sci | 1996 | Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO | Applied Math & Meteorology |
Computer Skills
- Proficient: Linux/Unix, Matlab, FORTRAN, C++, MS office, Python
- Data formats: NetCDF, GRIB, GRIB2, binary formats, satellite and radar formats
- Data base: MySQL
Selected Professional Awards
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) – Science and Technical Advancement Award (wind energy research and forecasting) – 2011
- NASA – Characterization of Arctic Sea Ice Experiment (CASIE), Ames Honor Award and the Group Achievement Award – 2009
- NASA – Turning Goals into Reality Aircraft Icing Project Team – 2001
Publications
2024
, , , (2024). Quantifying the Influence of Cloud Seeding on Ice Particle Growth and Snowfall Through Idealized Microphysical Modeling, Atmosphere, 15 (12), https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121460
2023
, , (2023). Impacts of anthropogenic aerosols on orographic precipitation in Arizona, Urban Climate, 49, Article No. 101561. 10.1016/j.uclim.2023.101561
2019
, (2019). Model Simulations for 6 Storms that Produced Seedable Snow over the San Juan Mountains: Final Report, October 1, 2019, Prepared for the Dolores Water Conservancy District.
(2019). Cloud Seeding Project for the San Juan Mountains Mancos, CO, for WY 2019: Water Year 2019 Final Report, December 2019.
(2019). Cloud Seeding Project for the San Juan Mountains Telluride, CO, for WY 2019: Water Year 2019 Final Report
(2019). Cloud Seeding Project for the Winter Park Ski Area: Winter 2018-2019 Final Report
, , , (2019). Keys to Differentiating Between Small- and Large Drop Icing Conditions in Continental Clouds, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 58 (9), 1931-1953, 10.1175/JAMC-D-18-0038.1
2018
, (2018). Model Simulations for 6 Storms that Produced Seedable Snow over the San Juan Mountains, July 31, 2018, Prepared for the Dolores Water Conservation District.
(2018). Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Project Water Year 2018, October 17, 2018, Prepared for the Western Regional Water Commission, Reno, NV.
(2018). Review of the WY 2018 DRI Colorado Cloud Seeding Projects, November 14, 2018, Presented to the CWCB, Lakewood, CO.
2017
(2017). Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Project for Water Year 2017, October 17, 2017, Project report and presentation for the Western Regional Water Commission.
(2017). Walker Basin Cloud Seeding Project for Water Year 2017, October 31, 2017, Project report prepared for the Walker River Irrigation District.
, (2017). Cloud Seeding for the Southern California Edison Big Creek Hydroelectric Project, Water Year 2017 Final Report, September 30, 2017, Prepared for Southern California Edison.
, (2017). Cloud Seeding Project for Winter Park Colorado, Water Year 2017 Final Report, July 31, 2017, Prepared for the Winter Park Resort and the Colorado Conservation Water Board.
, (2017). Cloud Seeding Project for the San Miguel River, Water Year 2017 Final Report, September 30, 2017, Prepared for the Colorado Conservation Water Board.
, (2017). Cloud Seeding Project for the San Juan Mountains, Mancos, August 15, 2017, Prepared for the Colorado Conservation Water Board.
, , , , , , , , , , (2017). Weather Modification Feasibility Study â Laramie Range Siting and Design, Level III Study, April 30, 2017, Project report prepared for the Wyoming Water Development Office, Cheyenne, WY.
2016
, (2016). WRF Simulations for 8 Storms That Produced Seedable Clouds and Precipitation Over the Upper Colorado River Basin, 53 p.. Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV, A report to Colorado Water Conservation Board and Wilson Water Group.
, (2016). Lagrangian Particle Tracking Dispersion and Regional Climate Modeling McDonough, F., Mejia, J. F., Shourd, K. N., Carroll, R. W., Lutz, A. D., Dean, J., Juchtzer, J. W., Huggins, A. W., Kaplan, M. L. (Eds.) , Weather ModificationâLaramie Range Siting and Design – Level III Study, 167 p.. Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV, A report to Wyoming Water Development Office.
2013
, , , , , , , , , , , , (2013). The Common Occurrence of Highly Supercooled Drizzle and Rain Near the Coastal Region of the Western United States, J. Geo Res. Atmos., 118 (17), 9819-9833
2009
, , , (2009). Freezing Drizzle Detection with WSR 88D Radars, J. Appl. Meteor. Clim, 48, 41-60
2007
, , (2007). An Inferred Climatology of Icing Conditions Aloft, Including Supercooled Large Drops. Part I: Canada and the Continental United States, J. Appl. Clim., 46, 1857-1878
2005
, , , , , , , (2005). Current Icing Potential (CIP): Algorithm Description and Comparison with Aircraft Observations, J. Appl. Meteor., 44, 969-986
Conference Proceedings
2024
, , , , , (2024). Cloud Seeding Effects on Snowfall: Insights from Microphysical Model and Satellite Remote Sensing. American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting: Baltimore, MD, January 28, 2024-February 1, 2024, http://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36071.83369/1
2023
, , (2023). Effects of Cloud Seeding on Climate using Machine Learning Techniques, DAS ATMS Science Talk. Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV, February 24, 2023
, , (2023). Aerosol-Cloud Interactions During Cloud Seeding. Nevada NASA Programs Statewide Meeting: Carson City, NV, April 28, 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16545.38248
, , (2023). Aerosol-Cloud Interactions and their Impacts on Climate During Cloud Seeding. DRI Poster Competition. Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV, April 7, 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10987.92965
, , , (2023). Studying the Mechanistic Impacts of Cloud Seeding on Snowfall with Insights from a Cloud Microphysical Model. Graduate poster symposium: Reno, NV, http://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.17127.42408
2022
, (2022). Analyzing Winter Storms and Their Cloud Seeding Potential Over the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. AMS 23rd Conference on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modification: Houston, TX, January 22, 2022-January 27, 2022
2020
, (2020). Assessing the Cloud Structures of a 1980 Icing Accident Using In Situ Data from a Research Aircraft and a High-Resolution Model. 100th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting: Boston, MA, January 12, 2020-January 17, 2020
, (2020). Assessing and Validating Cloud Seeding Plume Targeting Using a High-Resolution WRF Model, a Dispersion Model, and Snow Trace Chemistry. 100th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting: Boston, MA, January 12, 2020-January 17, 2020
2019
, , , , (2019). Stories in the Snow: Crowd-Sourced Snow Crystal Images to Identify Tahoe Winter Cloud Structures. Annual Western Snow Conference: Reno, NV, April 16, 2019-April 18, 2019
(2019). Overview of the Nevada State Cloud Seeding Program: Preliminary Results for Water Year 2019. North American Weather Modification Council Bi-annual Meeting: Phoenix, AZ, April 23, 2019
(2019). Assessing the Cloud Structures of a Winter Storm Aided by Crowd-Sourced Ice Crystal Images. DAS Monthly Science Talks: Reno, NV, July 24, 2019
(2019). Results from the Spring Mountains Cloud Seeding Program. Nye County Water District Governing Board Meeting: Tonopah, NV, July 29, 2019
(2019). Cloud Seeding Over the Front Range of Colorado. St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District Meeting: Longmont, CO, September 9, 2019
(2019). Overview of the Ruby Mountains Cloud Seeding Program. Presentation to Nevada Gold Mines Inc.: Elko, NV, September 23, 2019
(2019). Water Year 2019 Results from the Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Program. Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission Meeting: Reno, NV, October 2, 2019
(2019). Nevada Report for Water Year 2019. North American Weather Modification Council Bi-annual Meeting: Bozeman, MT, October 3, 2019
(2019). Water Year 2019 Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Program. Western Regional Water Commission Meeting: Reno, NV, October 17, 2019
, (2019). The San Juan Cloud Seeding Cloud Seeding Study: Final Report. San Juan Water Conservancy District Meeting: Pagosa Springs, CO, October 9, 2019
(2019). Ruby Mountains Cloud Seeding Program Results for Water Year 2019. National Weather Service Winter Weather Seminar: Elko, NV, November 8, 2019
, (2019). Cloud Seeding in Colorado. Colorado Water Conservation Board Meeting: Denver, CO, November 21, 2019
2018
, , , , , (2018). Unmanned aircraft for precipitation enhancement. International Conference on Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 26, 2018-March 27, 2018
, , (2018). Assessing the Cloud Seeding Potential over the Laramie Mountains in Wyoming. AMS 21st Conference on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modification: Austin, TX, January 7, 2018-January 12, 2018
(2018). Environmental Effects of Cloud Seeding Using Silver Iodide. Colorado Water Conservation Board: Denver, CO, January 22, 2018
(2018). Walker Basin Cloud Seeding. Presentation to the Walker River Irrigation District: Yerington, NV, February 7, 2018
(2018). Preliminary Results of the Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Project, Water Year 2018. Presentation to the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission: Reno, NV, April 4, 2018
, (2018). The Nevada State Cloud Seeding Project Overview. WMA Annual Conference: Estes Park, CO, April 24, 2018-April 27, 2018
(2018). The Nevada State Cloud Seeding Program, Humboldt River. Presented to the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority: Winnemucca, NV, May 11, 2018
(2018). The Nevada State Cloud Seeding Program, Spring Mountains. Presented to the Nye County Water Commission: Pahrump, NV, September 24, 2018
(2018). Results of the DRI WY2018 Cloud Seeding Projects. North American Weather Modification Council Fall Meeting: Las Vegas, NV, September 26, 2018-September 27, 2018
(2018). Tahoe-Truckee Cloud Seeding Project Water Year 2018. Presented to the Western Regional Water Commission: Reno, NV, October 17, 2018
(2018). Cloud Seeding in the Ruby Mountains. Presentation to the Elko National Weather Service: Elko, NV, October 25, 2018
(2018). Review of the WY 2018 DRI Colorado Cloud Seeding Projects. Presented to the CWCB: Lakewood, CO, November 14, 2018
2017
(2017). Cloud Seeding for Ski Resorts. National Ski Area Association Western Winter Conference: Steamboat Springs, CO, January 17, 2017-January 18, 2017
, , , (2017). Anomalously Cold Icing Conditions within Atmospheric River Storms Along the West Coast of North America. AMS 18th Conference on Aviation, Range, and Aerospace Meteorology: Seattle, WA, January 22, 2017-January 27, 2017
(2017). An Overview of Cloud Seeding. Nevada Water Resource Association Annual Meeting: Reno, NV, February 13, 2017-February 17, 2017
, , , (2017). Supercooled Liquid Water Observations within Storms over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Weather Modification Association Annual Meeting: Boise, ID, April 17, 2017-April 20, 2017
(2017). Nevada Cloud Seeding. Humboldt River Basin Water Authority: Carson City, NV, August 11, 2017
2015
(2015). DRI-Cloud Seeding Annual Report. NAWMC semi-annual meeting: Salt Lake City, UT, October 1, 2015
(2015). Winter orographic cloud seeding in the Sierra Nevada and Colorado: Summary of operations and selected case studies. WMA Annual Meeting: Fargo, ND, April 22, 2015
, (2015). Profiling microwave radiometer measurements over the Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado target areas. WMA Annual Meeting: Fargo, ND, April 22, 2015
, , , , , (2015). Trace Chemical Analysis of Water and Soil during the WWMPP: Results and Implies Environmental Impacts. 20th Conference on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modification: Phoenix, AZ, January 4, 2015
2012
, , , , , (2012). A System for Nowcasting Atmospheric Conditions Associated with Jet Engine Power Loss and Damage Due to Ingestion of Ice Particles. 4th AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference: New Orleans, LA, June 25, 2012
2011
, (2011). The Large and Small-Scale Structure and Evolution of a Mixed Phase Icing Cloud.. SAE 2011 International Conference on Aircraft and Engine Icing and Ground Deicing: Chicago, IL, June 12, 2011
2010
, , (2010). A Regional Analysis of Clouds Containing Supercooled Liquid Water. AMS 14th Conference on Aviation Range and Aerospace Meteorology: Atlanta, GA, January 17, 2010
(2010). The Global Forecast Icing Product, AIAA-2010-0. AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference: Toronto, Ontario, August 2, 2010
2008
(2008). Forecasting Supercooled Large Drop Icing Conditions. 13th Conference on Aviation Range and Aerospace Meteorology: New Orleans, LA, January 20, 2008