Relive Snowmageddon

  • Released Thursday, January 26th, 2012
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 1:53PM
  • ID: 10897

Satellites provide dramatic views of clouds, but in order to understand the processes that underlie how clouds form and evolve, scientists turn to complex computer models that simulate Earth's atmosphere. By feeding a range of ground, aircraft and satellite data into Goddard's Earth Observing System Model (GEOS-5), research meteorologists can see how closely the mathematical equations used to simulate atmospheric dynamics match reality. Such models are by no means perfect, but they have improved tremendously in recent years. The visualizations below, based on GEOS-5 model runs from February 2010, show how well the model reproduced the massive blizzard known as "Snowmageddon." In the visualization, watch Snowmageddon's sprawling, comma-shaped cloud system—complete with a tail that reaches all the way to the Caribbean—as it churns up the Eastern Seaboard dumping three feet of snow in some areas.

Atmospheric models recreate the massive weather system that fueled one of 2010's most ferocious blizzards.

Atmospheric models recreate the massive weather system that fueled one of 2010's most ferocious blizzards.

Notice the distinctive comma-shaped cloud pattern, a common feature of blizzards, that's visible throughout the visualization.

As Snowmageddon dumped large amounts of snow to the north, the same model run shows the storm system's tail passing over Florida and Cuba.

A satellite image from Feb. 6, the day after Snowmageddon dropped snow over the Northeast, shows the blizzard from above.

A satellite image from Feb. 6, the day after Snowmageddon dropped snow over the Northeast, shows the blizzard from above.

While there are subtle differences, the GEOS-5 model simulation of the same moment in time looks remarkably similar.

While there are subtle differences, the GEOS-5 model simulation of the same moment in time looks remarkably similar.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center