Atlantic Stratocumulus Atmospheric Soundings from FIRE-ASTEX

Sounding measurements from Funchal, Madeiras collected during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment. Data includes 11 files covering June observations from 1987 to 1992, with six files at 00Z and five at 12Z. The dataset was produced by the LARC_ASDC organization as part of the First ISCCP Regional Experiments to study marine stratocumulus clouds.

Use Cases

• Analyze vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, and humidity from sounding data to characterize marine boundary layer structure.
• Investigate diurnal variations in atmospheric conditions by comparing 00Z and 12Z sounding observations.
• Validate satellite-derived cloud properties and GCM parameterizations using in-situ sounding measurements from the 1992 field campaign.
• Study the transition of stratocumulus cloud systems using time-series data from multiple June observation periods.

Strengths

• Data spans multiple years (1987-1992) for temporal analysis.
• Includes coordinated 00Z and 12Z observations for diurnal cycle studies.
• Collected as part of a coordinated field experiment combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations.

Limitations

• Limited temporal coverage to the month of June across the years.
• Geographic scope is restricted to a single sounding location (Funchal).
• Exact row count, column details, and measurement variables are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

LARC_ASDC (NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center).

Collection Method

Sounding measurements (likely radiosonde) taken from a surface station.

Time Range

June 1987 to June 1992.

Freshness

Data collection ended in June 1992; it is a historical archive.

Geography

Funchal, Madeira Islands, in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean.