GOES-16 Satellite Radiance Data for Atlantic Snowstorm Study

GOES IMPACTS is a dataset of single reflective band radiance products from the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager, collected for the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms campaign. The data support a three-year field study (2020-2023) of winter snowstorms over the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Files are provided in netCDF-4 format by NASA, covering the GOES-16 CONUS and Mesoscale sectors.

Use Cases

• Analyzing snowband formation and evolution using geostationary satellite radiance time series.
• Studying microphysical characteristics of snow particles across storm bands via reflective band data.
• Improving remote sensing interpretation and numerical weather prediction models for snowfall.
• Validating campaign aircraft and ground measurements with coordinated satellite observations.

Strengths

• Data originates from the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager, a primary operational U.S. geostationary weather satellite.
• Collected for a dedicated, multi-year NASA field campaign (IMPACTS) with specific scientific objectives.
• Files are provided in the standard, self-describing netCDF-4 format.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and a complete column schema are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on temporal coverage: one states data is from Jan-Feb 2020, while the campaign description covers 2020-2023.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard the GOES-16 geostationary satellite.

Time Range

2020-2023 (campaign period), with specific files noted for January 1 through February 29, -2020.

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:48:41.979569

Geography

U.S. Atlantic Coast, covering GOES-16 CONUS and Mesoscale sectors.