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