NEXRAD Level II Radar Data for Atlantic Coast Snowstorms

January 1 to March 1, 2020 data from 31 NEXRAD sites during the IMPACTS field campaign. The dataset contains Level II meteorological and dual-polarization base data quantities, including radar reflectivity, radial velocity, and differential phase, aimed at studying snowband formation and microphysics. It is provided by the GHRC DAAC in netCDF-4 format and is part of a three-year campaign with planned updates.

Use Cases

• Analyzing snowband organization and evolution using radar reflectivity and radial velocity columns.
• Studying microphysical characteristics of snow particles via dual-polarization data like differential reflectivity and cross correlation ratio.
• Improving snowfall remote sensing interpretation by correlating spectrum width and differential phase measurements with in-situ observations.
• Validating and advancing numerical weather prediction models for Atlantic Coast-threatening snowstorms.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated, three-year field campaign (IMPACTS) with specific scientific objectives.
• Provides high-resolution, dual-polarization meteorological data from 31 NEXRAD radar sites across a focused two-month period.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and total data volume are not specified in any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, listing both 2020-03-01 and 2026-03-13.

Provenance

Source

GHRC_DAAC

Collection Method

Collected via Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR 88D) or NEXRAD Level II surveillance systems.

Time Range

January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2020

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:19:51.642557

Geography

31 NEXRAD sites, primarily focused on the U.S. Atlantic Coast.