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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

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

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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.
  • Cite as: Ballard, Brad; Intrieri, Janet; de Boer, Gijs; Hamilton, Jonathan; Calmer, Radiance (2025). SPLASH Field Study; HELiX UAS Solar Irradiance data from 2022-03-12 to 2022-06-04 (NCEI Accession 0303584). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/1x3z-k658. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0303584
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2022-03-12 to 2022-06-04
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -106.996855
East: -106.973006
South: 38.942005
North: 38.972425
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • de Boer, G., Hamilton, J., Intrieri, J., & Calmer, R. (2023). HELiX UAS data for SPLASH 2022 (Version 1) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7701557
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2025-04-18
  • creation: 2025-04-17
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose From fall 2021 through summer 2023, NOAA and research partners participated in the Study of Precipitation, the Lower Atmosphere and Surface for Hydrometeorology (SPLASH). This field study installed a comprehensive, 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. Benefits: In combination with scientific analysis of the resulting datasets, research will apply SPLASH observations and the resulting enhanced process-understanding to evaluate and improve NOAA's latest suite of modeling tools, including the Unified Forecast System, Rapid Refresh Forecast System, and National Water Model. The ultimate goal of this project will be improved prediction of weather and water in the Colorado mountains and beyond to inform societal preparedness and response.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Ballard, Brad; Intrieri, Janet; de Boer, Gijs; Hamilton, Jonathan; Calmer, Radiance (2025). SPLASH Field Study; HELiX UAS Solar Irradiance data from 2022-03-12 to 2022-06-04 (NCEI Accession 0303584). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/1x3z-k658. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: University of Colorado - Boulder; Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)
  • Funding Agency: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
  • Funding Agency: US Department of Energy
  • Funding Agency: Black Swift Technologies
  • Funding Agency: Colorado State University
  • Funding Agency: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML)
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL)
  • Funding Agency: National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
  • Funding Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • climatology
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • Altitude_AGL
  • Altitude_MSL
  • ErrFlg
  • FltFlg
  • HiGrdFlg
  • LowGrdFlg
  • TreeFlg
  • base_time
  • time_offset
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS)
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords Provider Project Names
  • SPLASH - Study of Precipitation, the Lower Atmosphere, and Surface for Hydrometeorology
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • 69CDUE
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Ballard, Brad; Intrieri, Janet; de Boer, Gijs; Hamilton, Jonathan; Calmer, Radiance (2025). SPLASH Field Study; HELiX UAS Solar Irradiance data from 2022-03-12 to 2022-06-04 (NCEI Accession 0303584). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/1x3z-k658. Accessed [date].
Data License
Access Constraints
  • 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.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2025-04-18T16:08:54Z - NCEI Accession 0303584 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: base_time (measured); Units: second; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: 'seconds since 2020-01-01 0:00:00 0:00' Datatype: int32
  • Parameter or Variable: time_offset (measured); Units: second; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: seconds since 2022-03-12 22:42:48 0:00'
  • Parameter or Variable: FltFlg (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Flag Identifying Aircraft Flight (1=flying)
  • Parameter or Variable: ErrFlg (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Flag Identifying Erroneous Data (0=Good Data)
  • Parameter or Variable: LowGrdFlg (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Flag Identifying Time Spent on low Avery Grid (1=On Grid)
  • Parameter or Variable: HiGrdFlg (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Flag Identifying Time Spent on high Avery Grid (1=On Grid)
  • Parameter or Variable: TreeFlg (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Flag Identifying Time Spent on Avery Tree Triangle (1=On Grid)
  • Parameter or Variable: Latitude (measured); Units: degrees N; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Units = 'degree N' Description = 'Aircraft Latitude'
  • Parameter or Variable: Longitude (measured); Units: degrees E; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Units = 'degree E' Description = 'Aircraft Longitude'
  • Parameter or Variable: Altitude_MSL (measured); Units: meter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Units = 'm MSL' Description = 'Aircraft Altitude, Relative to Sea Level'
  • Parameter or Variable: Altitude_AGL (measured); Units: meter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: HELiX uncrewed aircraft system (UAS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Units = 'm AGL' Description = 'Aircraft Altitude, Relative to Take Off Point'
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • pyranometer
Last Modified: 2026-08-13T13:47:20Z
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