DPWX/Snow band observations: 17 November 2015
Reflectivity data from the NWS KFTG radar in a 0.88 degree elevation angle through a winter storm containing snow bands. Plots of selected CSU-CHILL radar dual-wavelength (S and X-band) observations collected from a portion of this snow band area have been prepared.
Overview
During the early morning hours of 17 November 2015 a surface low pressure system developed over southeastern Colorado. Widespread accumulating snow and strong surface winds, with blizzard conditions in some locations, were forecast to occur in much of the CSU-CHILL radar's coverage area. One period of well-organized snow band activity occurred in the southeast azimuth quadrant of the CSU-CHILL radar during the 1030 - 1100 UTC time period. The following two plots show CHILL S-band data collected in a 1.8 degree elevation angle PPI scan at 1035 UTC. At this time, the immediate CSU-CHILL / Greeley area was echo free while a northeast-southwest oriented echo band was located at a range of ~50 km southeast of the radar.
METAR element | KDEN | KGXY |
Time UTC | 1045 | 1055 |
Wind Direction (deg) | 350 | 340 |
Wind speed (kt) | 31 | 28 |
Wind gust (kt) | 41 | 42 |
Sky | Vert. Vis. 900 ft | Overcast 7000 ft |
Visibility (sm) | 1/2 | 10 |
Temperature (C) | -1 | 1 |
Dew Point (C) | -3 | -5 |
Weather / Precip. | Moderate snow freezing fog | None |