FIRE Cirrus Phase I: NCAR Kingair Aircraft Measurements of Cloud Properties, 1986

Aircraft-based measurements of radiation, microphysics, temperature, moisture, and air motions within cirrus clouds were collected by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) King Air. The data were gathered during the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Intensive Field Observation from October 13 to November 2, 1986, in central Wisconsin. This dataset was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to improve cloud and radiation models.

Use Cases

• Validate and improve cloud microphysics parameterizations in climate models based on in-situ aircraft measurements.
• Study the radiative properties and life cycles of cirrus clouds based on coordinated radiation and cloud property data.
• Investigate relationships between satellite observations and high-resolution in-situ cloud data as part of the FIRE program goals.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated, intensive field observation campaign designed for model validation.
• Includes multiple synchronized measurement types: radiation, microphysics, temperature, moisture, and air motions.
• Last metadata update recorded as 2026-03-13 02:52:44.595020.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in specialized formats (BIN, TAR, ISO), which may require specific tools for access.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measurements collected by the NCAR King Air aircraft during a coordinated field campaign.

Time Range

October 13 to November 2, 1986

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 02:52:44.595020; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Central Wisconsin, USA