IMPACTS is happening!  The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) Field Campaign is now flying!  Illinois participants include Prof. Bob Rauber and Graduate students Troy Zaremba, Andrew Janiszeski, Megan Varcie and Rose Miller.  IMPACTS is a focused research program to study mesoscale processes in winter cyclones, particularly those that affect the heavily populated Northeast Coast.  IMPACTS is flying a complementary suite of remote sensing in the NASA ER-2, and in-situ instruments on the NASA P-3 for three 6-week deployments. IMPACTS is addressing three specific objectives, providing observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snowband formation, organization, and evolution. IMPACTS will also examine how the microphysical characteristics and likely growth mechanisms of snow particles vary across snowbands. IMPACTS will improve snowfall remote sensing interpretation and modeling to significantly advance predictive capabilities.