FIRE Cirrus 1: Surface Radiation Budget Data over Canada at 25km Resolution

ISCCP B3 radiance data sampled to 25 km resolution, reported at original pixel resolution with detailed algorithm decision information. The dataset covers a region from 40°N to 90°N and 70°W to 110°W, collected during the First ISCCP Regional Experiment's cirrus intensive field observation from October 13 to November 2, 1986. It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to improve cloud and radiation parameterizations in general circulation models.

Use Cases

• Validate cloud property parameterizations in climate models based on high-resolution satellite radiance data.
• Study cirrus cloud life cycles and radiative interactions based on coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations.
• Analyze spatial patterns of surface radiation budget over Canada based on the 25 km sampled imaging data.

Strengths

• Data is reported at original pixel resolution (4 km for NOAA data) with detailed algorithm decision information.
• Covers a specific geographic region from 40°N to 90°N and 70°W to 110°W.
• Results from a coordinated field experiment combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data is from a specific field campaign in 1986; temporal coverage is limited.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Coordinated satellite (ISCCP B3 radiance), airborne, and surface observations during an intensive field observation period.

Time Range

October 13 to November 2, 1986

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:53:11.916086; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Region from 40°N to 90°N and 70°W to 110°W (over Canada)