CAMEX-4: Airborne Radar Data for Hurricane Research

Two separate research radars on a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft collected meteorological data during the CAMEX-4 mission. The dataset consists of radar reflectivity in range and azimuth coordinates from a C-band fuselage radar and an X-band tail radar, with Doppler radial velocity also collected by the tail radar. This data supports the study of tropical cyclone development, tracking, intensification, and landfalling impacts.

Use Cases

• Analyzing hurricane structure and intensity based on radar reflectivity patterns.
• Studying wind fields and storm kinematics using Doppler radial velocity measurements.
• Validating and improving numerical weather prediction models for tropical cyclones.
• Researching the utility of multi-frequency (C-band and X-band) airborne radar observations.

Strengths

• Data originates from a dedicated NASA-funded field campaign (CAMEX-4) focused on hurricane science.
• Contains dual-frequency radar measurements (C-band and X-band) from a specialized NOAA research aircraft.
• Includes both reflectivity and Doppler velocity data, providing complementary meteorological insights.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing: row count, file size, and specific column names are unknown.
• A conflict exists in the reported last update date: one source states 2001-09-19, while others state 2026-03-13.
• Access requires contacting a specific data center (GHRC), indicating potential barriers to immediate use.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), collected via the NASA-funded CAMEX-4 mission using a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft.

Collection Method

Airborne remote sensing using two research radars (C-band fuselage-mounted, X-band tail-mounted) operated during a field campaign.

Freshness

2026-03-13 07:03:04.259674

Geography

Areas of tropical cyclone activity studied during the CAMEX-4 mission, likely over ocean basins.