KGYX NEXRAD IMPACTS: Winter Snowstorm Radar Observations

From January 1 to March 1, 2020, this dataset contains Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Level II surveillance data collected at 31 sites during the IMPACTS field campaign. It provides meteorological and dual-polarization base data quantities, including radar reflectivity, radial velocity, and differential phase, to study snowstorms over the U.S. Atlantic Coast. The data is stored in netCDF-4 format and is part of a planned three-year campaign.

Use Cases

• Analyzing snowband formation and evolution mechanisms based on radar reflectivity and velocity data.
• Examining microphysical characteristics of snow particles using dual-polarization variables like differential reflectivity.
• Improving snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling with high-resolution NEXRAD Level II observations.
• Studying the spatial organization of winter precipitation events across 31 radar sites.

Strengths

• Covers a focused, high-impact meteorological event with data from 31 NEXRAD radar sites.
• Contains detailed dual-polarization base data quantities critical for microphysical analysis.
• Part of a structured, three-year scientific campaign (IMPACTS) aimed at improving prediction.

Limitations

• Column names and precise data volume (rows/size) are not specified in the provided metadata.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2026-04-10 vs. 2020-03-01) create uncertainty about data freshness.
• Initial temporal coverage is limited to a two-month window in early 2020.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected via Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR 88D) or NEXRAD sites during the IMPACTS field campaign.

Time Range

January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2020

Freshness

2026-04-10 01:59:40.291915 (from datagov, but conflicts with an earlier date from nasa_earthdata)

Geography

U.S. Atlantic Coast, from 31 NEXRAD sites throughout the United States and abroad.