gov.noaa.ncdc:C00465 eng; USA utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact 2025-12-04T00:51:58 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) Regional Snowfall Index 2011-01-01 publication 2014-06-01 revision doi:10.25921/r2cd-th81 NCEI DSI 3289_01 gov.noaa.ncdc:C00465 Access Identifier regional-snowfall-index DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce publisher DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce User Engagement and Services Branch +1 (828) 271-4800 +1 (828) 271-4876 151 Patton Avenue Veach-Baley Federal Building, Room 468 Asheville NC 28801-5001 USA ncei.orders@noaa.gov 8:00 - 6:00 Eastern publisher Squires, Michael F. DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce author Lawrimore, Jay H. DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce author tableDigital NCEI DSI 3289_01 The Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) is an index of significant snowstorms that impact the eastern two thirds of the U.S. The RSI ranks snowstorm impacts on a scale from 1 to 5, similar to the Fujita scale for tornadoes or the Saffir-Simpson scale for hurricanes. NCEI has analyzed and assigned RSI values to over 500 storms going as far back as 1900. New storms are added operationally. As such, RSI puts the regional impacts of snowstorms into a century-scale historical perspective. The RSI differs from other indices because it includes population. RSI is based on the spatial extent of the storm, the amount of snowfall, and the juxtaposition of these elements with population. The area and population are cumulative values above regional specific thresholds. For example, the thresholds for the Southeast are 2", 5", 10", and 15" of snowfall while the thresholds for the Northeast are 4", 10", 20", and 30" of snowfall. Population information ties the index to societal impacts. Currently, the index uses population based on the 2000 Census. The RSI is an evolution of the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale (NESIS) which NCDC (the precursor to NCEI) began producing operationally in 2005. While NESIS was developed for storms that had a major impact in the Northeast, it includes the impact of snow on other regions as well. It can be thought of as a quasi-national index that is calibrated to Northeast snowstorms. By contrast, the RSI is a regional index; a separate index is produced for each of the six NCDC climate regions in the eastern two-thirds of the nation. The indices are calculated in a similar fashion to NESIS, but our experience has led us to propose a change in the methodology. The new indices require region-specific parameters and thresholds for the calculations. For details on how RSI is calculated, see Squires et al. 2011. This snowstorm impact rating scale factors in population, snowfall amounts, and storm coverage, thereby quantifying the societal impacts of a snowstorm for all major snowstorms since 1900. The RSI is important because of the need to place snowstorms and their societal impacts into a historical perspective on a regional scale. The index is useful for the media, emergency managers, the public and others who wish to compare regional impacts between different snowstorms. DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce User Services and Engagement Branch +1 828-271-4800 +1 828-271-4876 151 Patton Avenue Veach-Baley Federal Building, Room 468 Asheville NC 28801-5001 USA ncei.orders@noaa.gov 8:00 - 6:00 Eastern pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00465_RSI-image.jpg RSI map example for snowstorm events. PNG Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Snow Depth Earth Science > Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Meteorological Hazards theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher Land Surface product Keyword Thesaurus Title Continent > North America > United States Of America place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher Vertical Location > Land Surface stratum Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher otherRestrictions Cite as: Squires, Michael F.; Lawrimore, Jay H. (2011): Regional Snowfall Index [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/r2cd-th81 [indicate access date] otherRestrictions 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. otherRestrictions 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. Regional Snowfall Impact Scale 2011-01-01 publication Squires M.F., et al originator https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/documents/C00465_squires-lawrimore-paper.pdf HTTPS Information Regional Snowfall Impact Scale PDF file of science paper download crossReference sciencePaper The Regional Snowfall Index 2014 publication Michael F. Squires originator Jay H. Lawrimore originator Richard R. Heim--Jr. originator David A. Robinson originator Mathieu R. Gerbush originator Thomas W. Estilow originator http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00101.1 Information The Regional Snowfall Index (Published paper) Abstract and links to the journal article describing the data. download crossReference sciencePaper Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale 2011-01-01 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/geoportal/rest/metadata/item/gov.noaa.ncdc:C00453/html HTTPS Information Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale A precursor to the Regional Snowfall Index. download crossReference collection eng; USA climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere -100.0 -65.0 30.0 50.0 1900-01-01 Snowfall Events: Historical measured snowfall events in the northeastern U.S. Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) Value RSI values are a function of the area affected by the snowstorm, the amount of snow, and the number of people living in the path of the storm. 14 1 unitless unitless Category RSI Category that rates the impact of a storm event 1: Notable Category Snowfall Event 2: Significant Category Snowfall Event 3: Major Category Snowfall Event 4: Crippling Category Snowfall Event 5: Extreme Category Snowfall Event NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information distributor 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. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. CSV fixed-length ASCII text ArcGIS https://doi.org/10.25921/r2cd-th81 HTTPS Landing Page NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. information https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/maps/ncei/rsi HTTPS Map Search Application NCEI Climate Data Online Map Server Dynamic GIS mapping application to locate stations and data for selected layers. search https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/snowfall/rsi/MapServer HTTPS REST NCEI ArcGIS REST Services Directory ArcGIS Server REST API for the dataset. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/snowstorm/ HTTPS Download Direct Download for Surface Snow Products Download the Regional Snowfall Index and other related products. download https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/rsi/ HTTPS Information The Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) web page. Background, description, RSI maps and data values. information dataset RSI values are a function of the area affected by the snowstorm, the amount of snow, and the number of people living in the path of the storm. For a full description of how the Index was calculated, please view the documentation. For more information on the creation of this data, please view the documentation associated with the data. Source dataset Snowstorm Database publication NCEI DSI 3288_01 gov.noaa.ncdc:C00464 DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce originator https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/geoportal/rest/metadata/item/gov.noaa.ncdc:C00464/html HTTPS Web Browser Snowstorm Database Landing page for the Snowstorm Database, including links and other information. information 1900-01-01 Provided population data for data calculations U.S. Counties (Generalized) [from Census 2000] 20020401 publication 2002 ESRI > Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. distributor http://www.esri.com/data/data-maps Links to the map information used. 1900-01-01 Provided population data for data calculations U.S. Counties (Generalized) [from Census 2010] 2014 publication 2014 ESRI > Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. distributor http://www.esri.com/data/data-maps Links to the map information used. 1900-01-01 repository NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015. 2015-04-22T00:00:00 asNeeded Bulk metadata change applied on 2023-06-23. See version control repository history for metadata change details. SNOW MEASURING ROD METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS