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    • SPLASH Field Study; Snow-level Radar FMCW Moments at Kettle Ponds, Colorado, 2021-09-29 to 2023-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0289123)

    Metadata Updated: January 1, 2026

    From fall 2021 through summer 2023, NOAA and research partners conducted a field study (SPLASH - the Study of Precipitation, the Lower Atmosphere and Surface for Hydrometeorology). This field study established a state-of-the-art observing network in the East River watershed of the Colorado mountains with a goal of advancing weather and water prediction capabilities in areas with complex terrain. The ultimate goal of this project is improved prediction of weather and water in the Colorado mountains and beyond to inform societal preparedness and response.

    Among the measurements taken in this study were snow-level measurements, using a snow-level radar that utilizes modernized frequency-modulated, continuous wave (FM-CW) technology. Snow level, the altitude in the atmosphere where snow changes into rain, is a critical parameter influencing runoff in mountainous watersheds because it determines the surface area of the watershed that will be exposed to rain versus snow. When the snow level is above most or all of the terrain in a watershed, a storm is more likely to produce enough rapid runoff to cause flooding. If the snow level is low in a watershed, then a storm increases the snowpack, providing valuable storage of water for potential later use.

    This archive contains the raw snow-level radar moments (reflectivity, radial velocity, spectral width, and related variables) at the Kettle Ponds, Colorado site.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date 2025-12-16T13:03:21Z
    Metadata Created Date February 1, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date January 1, 2026
    Reference Date(s) February 28, 2024 (publication), February 12, 2024 (creation)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Preview graphic

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date 2025-12-16T13:03:21Z
    Metadata Created Date February 1, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date January 1, 2026
    Reference Date(s) February 28, 2024 (publication), February 12, 2024 (creation)
    Responsible Party (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.nodc:0289123
    Access Constraints Cite as: Ballard, Brad; White, Allen; Gottas, Daniel; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; NOAA Research; NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory; NOAA Physical Science Laboratory (2024). SPLASH Field Study; Snow-level Radar FMCW Moments at Kettle Ponds, Colorado, 2021-09-29 to 2023-09-06 (NCEI Accession 0289123). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/cgta-2v72. Accessed [date]., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long -106.973006
    Bbox North Lat 38.942005
    Bbox South Lat 38.942005
    Bbox West Long -106.973006
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Preview graphic
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0289123
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id 827f5975-97e6-465c-afca-f4cad3e0655c
    Harvest Source Id c084a438-6f6b-470d-93e0-16aeddb9f513
    Harvest Source Title NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions
    Licence accessLevel: Public
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Point", "coordinates": [-106.973006, 38.942005]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2021-09-29
    Temporal Extent End 2023-09-06

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