Abstract:Using the detection results of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and microwave imager (GMI) from 2014 to 2021, the differences in observing snowfall processes between different precipitation products of DPR are compared. Moreover, the macro and micro characteristics of three types of snowfall systems (deep, shallow, and near surface) are clarified, and the structural characteristics of four typical snowfall clouds in Xinjiang are analyzed by means of equal frequency height statistical method. The results show that the probability of shallow snowfall clouds exceeds 60%, while deep snowfall clouds contribute the most to snowfall. The liquid water path (LWP) and ice water path (IWP) of the three types of clouds are mostly distributed in 80-450 g·m-2 and 100-380 g·m-2, with a positive correlation between the echo top height, LWP, and IWP and the near-surface snowfall rate as a whole. The four selected cases are located in the Ale Mount Taishan area (A), the Ili River Valley (B), the hinterland of the Gurban Tunggut Desert (C), and the northern foot of the Kunlun Mountains in southern Xinjiang (D).The snow system observation results of GMI’s 166 GHz high-frequency channel are more detailed, 〖JP2〗and the brightness temperature is concentrated in the range of 200-275 K.〖JP〗 Cases A and B are mainly ice clouds, and cases C and D are mostly ice water mixed clouds, and the snowfall intensity and area of the former are greater than the latter. The radar reflectivity factor (Z) of the cloud profile is concentrated in 16-25 dBz and 0.75-4.65 km height. Cloud clusters in cases A, B, and D exhibit a “left leaning” structure, with the highest echo intensity in the upper and middle parts of the cloud, belonging to a typical development stage of cloud cluster. The echo intensity of case C is mainly located in the lower part of the cloud, and the cloud cluster is in the mature stage. Dm (mass weighted average diameter) and dBNw (particle number concentration) produce more snowfall between 1.00-1.22 mm and 33-35, respectively. The snowfall intensity is not only related to the particle size of ice crystals or supercooled water, but also affected by the particle number concentration. This study is of significance for improving the level of snow monitoring in Xinjiang, understanding the formation mechanism of snowfall and evaluating the potential and effectiveness of artificial snow seeding and cloud seeding in different regions of northern and southern Xinjiang.