FIRE Cirrus Phase I: High-Frequency Aircraft Atmospheric Measurements

Aircraft-based 24 Hertz time-series data from the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Phase I field campaign. The dataset contains 16 variables, including wind, pressure, temperature, and aircraft attitude, collected by the University of North Dakota's Cessna Citation II research aircraft. The data was gathered during an intensive field observation period from October 13 to November 2, 1986, to study cirrus cloud systems.

Use Cases

• Validate and improve general circulation model (GCM) cloud parameterizations based on high-resolution in-situ atmospheric measurements.
• Study the life cycles and radiative properties of cirrus clouds based on coordinated aircraft observations.
• Analyze wind dynamics and turbulence based on 24 Hz vertical wind and acceleration data.
• Investigate aircraft performance and measurement techniques based on angle of attack and sideslip variables.

Strengths

• Data was collected at a high temporal resolution of 24 Hertz.
• Includes 16 distinct atmospheric and aircraft state variables per record.
• Part of a coordinated field campaign combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

In-situ measurements from a modified Cessna Citation II research aircraft.

Time Range

October 13 to November 2, 1986

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:51:45.932045; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Region of the cirrus intensive field observation (IFO), location not further specified.