First ISCCP Regional Experiment data from NASA's LARC ASDC captures coordinated observations of marine stratocumulus and cirrus cloud systems. The dataset combines satellite, airborne, and surface measurements from four intensive field periods between 1986 and 1992. Its primary goal is to improve cloud and radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models.
Use Cases
- Validate satellite-derived cloud properties from ISCCP using in-situ airborne and surface observations from the field campaigns.
- Analyze the life cycle and radiative properties of marine stratocumulus clouds using time-series data from the Atlantic ASTEX and Pacific marine stratocumulus IFOs.
- Investigate cirrus cloud physical processes using coordinated measurements from the 1986 and 1991 cirrus intensive field observation periods.
- Improve general circulation model parameterizations by comparing high-resolution cloud data from field experiments with coarser model outputs.
Strengths
- Data from four distinct, coordinated intensive field observation periods between 1986 and 1992.
- Multi-platform observations combining satellite, airborne, and surface-based measurement sources.
Limitations
- Data collection ended in June 1992, limiting analysis of recent climate trends.
- Specific row counts, column details, and file formats for the data records are not provided.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC ASDC).
- Collection Method
- Coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations collected during planned intensive field experiments.
- Time Range
- Field campaigns conducted from 1986 to 1992.
- Freshness
- Final observation period concluded on 1992-06-28.
- Geography
- Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, southwestern coast of California, and southeastern Kansas.