The Particle Habit Imaging and Polar Scattering (PHIPS) Probes IMPACTS dataset consists of cloud particle imagery collected by the Particle Habit Imaging and Polar Scattering (PHIPS) probe onboard the NASA P-3 aircraft during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign. IMPACTS was a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S Atlantic Coast (2020-2023). The campaign aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. PHIPS allows for the measurement of particle shape, size, and habit. The browse files included in this dataset contain the post-processed particle-by-particle stereo images (2 images from different angles) collected by PHIPS during the campaign. The files are available from January 18, 2020 through February 25, 2022 in PNG format.

The NCAR Particle Probes IMPACTS dataset consists of data collected from six instruments on the NASA P-3 aircraft, the SPEC Hawkeye Cloud Particle Imager (CPI), the Hawkeye Fast Cloud Droplet Probe (FastCDP), the Hawkeye Two-Dimensional Stereo Probe (Hawkeye2D-S), the SPEC Two-Dimensional Stereo probe (2D-S), and two SPEC High Volume Precipitation Spectrometers (HVPS3). The 2D-S and HVPS3 are two-dimensional optical array probes that record images of particles that travel through their sampling area. The recorded images are then analyzed to produce particle size distributions from 20 microns to 3 centimeters in diameter. The FastCDP is a forward scattering instrument designed to measure the size and concentration of cloud droplets between 2 and 50 microns in diameter. The CPI is a high-resolution imager with a 256-level color depth. No particle concentration estimates have been attempted with the CPI. These data were collected during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign, a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S. Atlantic coast. IMPACTS aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to advance prediction capabilities significantly. Data files are available in netCDF-4 format, as well as browse imagery available in PNG format, from January 18, 2020, through February 26, 2020, and January 14, 2022 through February 28, 2023.

The NCAR Particle Probes IMPACTS dataset consists of data collected from six instruments on the NASA P-3 aircraft, the SPEC Hawkeye Cloud Particle Imager (CPI), the Hawkeye Fast Cloud Droplet Probe (FastCDP), the Hawkeye Two-Dimensional Stereo Probe (Hawkeye2D-S), the SPEC Two-Dimensional Stereo probe (2D-S), and two SPEC High Volume Precipitation Spectrometers (HVPS3). The 2D-S and HVPS3 are two-dimensional optical array probes which record images of particles that travel through their sampling area. The recorded images are then analyzed to produce particle size distributions from 20 microns to 3 centimeters in diameter. The FastCDP is a forward scattering instrument designed to measure the size and concentration of cloud droplets between 2 and 50 microns in diameter. The CPI is a high-resolution imager with a 256-level color depth. No particle concentration estimates have been attempted with the CPI. These data were collected during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign, a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S Atlantic coast. IMPACTS aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. Data files are available in netCDF-4 format, as well as browse imagery available in PNG format, from January 18, 2020 through February 26, 2020, and January 14, 2022 through February 25, 2022.

The UND Cloud Microphysics IMPACTS dataset consists of cloud particle measurements collected during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign. IMPACTS was a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S. Atlantic Coast (2020-2023). The campaign aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. The UND Cloud Microphysics IMPACTS dataset files are stored in ASCII format from January 25, 2020, through February 28, 2023.

The NAMMA Two-Dimensional Stereo Probe and Cloud Particle Imager dataset consists of data from two probes used to measure the size, shape, and concentration of cloud particles; the two-dimensional stereo probe (2D-S), and the cloud particle imager (CPI). Both of these probes measure particle size distributions and derives extinction, particle concentration, ice water content and particle shape. Both probes provide hi-resolution black and white images of cloud particles. These data files were generated during support of the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) campaign, a field research investigation sponsored by the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This mission was based in the Cape Verde Islands, 350 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Commencing in August 2006, NASA scientists employed surface observation networks and aircraft to characterize the evolution and structure of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and Mesoscale Convective Systems over continental western Africa, and their associated impacts on regional water and energy budgets.

The UND Cloud Microphysics IMPACTS dataset consists of cloud particle measurements collected during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign. IMPACTS was a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S Atlantic Coast (2020-2023). The campaign aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. The UND Cloud Microphysics IMPACTS dataset files are stored in ASCII format from January 25, 2020 through February 26, 2020, and from January 6, 2022 through February 25, 2022.

The SBU Parsivel IMPACTS dataset consists of precipitation data collected by the Parsivel disdrometer in support of the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign. IMPACTS was a three-year sequence of winter season deployments conducted to study snowstorms over the U.S. Atlantic Coast (2020-2023). The campaign aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. The Parsivel disdrometer data include particle size distribution, fall speed, radar reflectivity, and precipitation rate. The dataset files are available in netCDF-3 format from January 1, 2020, through March 2, 2023.

The NAMMA Two-Dimensional Stereo Probe and Cloud Particle Imager dataset consists of data from two probes used to measure the size, shape, and concentration of cloud particles; the two-dimensional stereo probe (2D-S), and the cloud particle imager (CPI). Both of these probes measure particle size distributions and derives extinction, particle concentration, ice water content and particle shape. Both probes provide hi-resolution black and white images of cloud particles. These data files were generated during support of the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) campaign, a field research investigation sponsored by the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This mission was based in the Cape Verde Islands, 350 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Commencing in August 2006, NASA scientists employed surface observation networks and aircraft to characterize the evolution and structure of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and Mesoscale Convective Systems over continental western Africa, and their associated impacts on regional water and energy budgets.

The P-3 Meteorological and Navigation Data IMPACTS dataset is a subset of airborne measurements that include GPS positioning and trajectory data, aircraft orientation, and atmospheric state measurements of temperature, pressure, water vapor, and horizontal winds. These measurements were taken from the NASA P-3 aircraft during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) campaign. Funded by NASA’s Earth Venture program, IMPACTS is the first comprehensive study of East Coast snowstorms in 30 years. The campaign aimed to (1) Provide observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution; (2) Examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands; and (3) Improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance prediction capabilities. Data are available in ASCII-ict format from January 12, 2020 through February 25, 2022.