FIRE Arctic Cloud Experiment: Tower-Based Atmospheric Measurements

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments (FIRE) data, produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aims to improve cloud and radiation models for climate prediction. The dataset includes measurements from the Arctic Cloud Experiment Utrecht University Tower, focusing on cirrus and marine stratocumulus cloud systems. The data was last updated on 2026-03-13.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived cloud climatology (ISCCP) based on higher-resolution tower measurements mentioned in the description
• Improve parameterizations of cloud life cycles and radiative properties for use in General Circulation Models (GCMs)
• Study the interaction of physical processes in cirrus and marine stratocumulus cloud systems

Strengths

• Data originates from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a recognized authority in Earth science
• Designed for a specific, high-impact purpose: improving data products and parameterizations for climate models
• Last updated on 2026-03-13, indicating recent metadata maintenance

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Data is provided in multiple legacy file formats (BIN, TAR, ISO, HTML, PDF), which may require specialized tools for access

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Tower-based atmospheric measurements collected as part of the First ISCCP Regional Experiments (FIRE).

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:51:21.748175; freshness should be verified

Geography

Arctic (Utrecht University Tower location implied)