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Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS)

Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) will fly a complementary suite of remote sensing and in-situ instruments for three 6-week deployments on the ER-2 and P-3 aircraft. IMPACTS will address three specific objectives, providing observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution. IMPACTS will also examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands. IMPACTS will improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance predictive capabilities.

Launch Date

January 2020

Class

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Website

Key Staff

Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) will fly a complementary suite of remote sensing and in-situ instruments for three 6-week deployments on the ER-2 and P-3 aircraft. IMPACTS will address three specific objectives, providing observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution. IMPACTS will also examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands. IMPACTS will improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance predictive capabilities.

Related Publications

2023. "NASA IMPACTS 2023 CRS Radar Data.", NASA GHRC, [http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/IMPACTS/CRS/DATA101] [Dataset]

2023. "NASA IMPACTS 2023 HIWRAP Radar Data.", NASA GHRC, [http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/IMPACTS/HIWRAP/DATA101] [Dataset]

2023. "NASA IMPACTS 2023 EXRAD Radar Data.", NASA GHRC, [http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/IMPACTS/EXRAD/DATA101] [Dataset]

2025. "Synthesis of surface snowfall rates and radar-observed storm structures in 10+ years of Northeast US winter storms.", Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, [10.5194/egusphere-2025-6] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Supercooled Liquid Water at the Top of a Snow-Producing Nimbostratus Cloud and Its Association with Gravity-Wave Breaking and Turbulence During IMPACTS.", Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres, [10.1029/2024JD041795] [Journal Article/Letter]