CPL IMPACTS: Cloud Physics LiDAR Data from Atlantic Coast Snowstorms

U.S. Atlantic Coast snowstorms from 2020 to 2022 were studied using the Cloud Physics LiDAR onboard a NASA ER-2 aircraft. The dataset includes backscatter coefficient, depolarization ratio, layer heights, and derived products like ice water content. NASA collected this data during the IMPACTS field campaign to improve snowfall prediction.

Use Cases

• Analyze snowband formation and evolution based on layer top/base height and type data.
• Study snow particle microphysics and growth mechanisms based on lidar depolarization ratio and ice water content.
• Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling based on backscatter and extinction coefficients.
• Examine the vertical structure of winter storms based on layer and cumulative optical depth data.

Strengths

• Data collected by NASA's ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft, a authoritative source.
• Covers a three-year sequence of winter season deployments from January 15, 2020 through February 28, 2022.
• Includes multiple derived atmospheric products like particulate extinction coefficient and ice water content.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in HDF-5 format, which may require specialized tools for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected from the Cloud Physics LiDAR (CPL) onboard the NASA ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft.

Time Range

January 15, — 2020 through February 28, 2022

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:29:52.161580; freshness should be verified.

Geography

U.S. Atlantic Coast