SPLASH Field Study; HELiX UAS Solar Irradiance data from 2022-03-12 to 2022-06-04 (NCEI Accession 0303584)

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.

This dataset includes data files collected during flights of the HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). The system was equipped with stabilized up and downward looking pyranometers which measure the incident solar energy, and when used together they can provide information on the reflectivity of the surface. Flights were conducted at the Avery Picnic and Kettle Ponds SPLASH sites during spring 2022 and capture the evolution of the snow surface during spring snow melt.