They also studied the correlation between the observed variability in Western US snowpack accumulation and atmospheric circulation in historical measurement data and developed temperature-snowfall correlations based on first principles and observation in order to improve the global radiation balance estimation used in climate change predictions. Legates also developed a calibration method which validates NEXRAD radar precipitation data with gauge measurements to improve the accuracy of precipitation estimates.
They investigated the relationship between observed variations in Western US snowpack accumulation and atmospheric circulation patterns from historical data, creating temperature-snowfall correlations based on fundamental principles and observations to enhance global radiation balance estimations used in climate change predictions. Legates also developed a calibration method that validates NEXRAD radar precipitation data with gauge measurements to improve the accuracy of precipitation estimates.