FIRE Cirrus Phase II: LARC Eight Inch Lidar Cloud Backscatter Data

Four intensive field observation periods between 1986 and 1992 collected this dual-channel polarization sensitive lidar data. The Langley Research Center instrument was designed to monitor cloud properties between 3 km and 18 km altitude to improve general circulation models. NASA produced this data to investigate the life cycles and radiative properties of cirrus and marine stratocumulus cloud systems.

Use Cases

• Validate and improve cloud parameterizations in general circulation models based on high-resolution lidar backscatter data.
• Study the life cycles and radiative properties of cirrus clouds based on data from the 1986 and 1991 field campaigns.
• Analyze marine stratocumulus systems based on data from the 1987 and 1992 observation periods.
• Investigate relationships between satellite data and higher-resolution cloud observations as described in the FIRE project goals.

Strengths

• Data collected during four coordinated intensive field observation periods spanning from 1986 to 1992.
• Instrument designed for specific cloud monitoring between 3 km and 18 km altitude with a dual-channel polarization sensitive system.
• Project goals explicitly stated to improve data products for general circulation models.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the specific field campaigns from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations combined with modeling studies during intensive field campaigns.

Time Range

Field campaigns conducted in 1986, 1987, 1991, and 1992.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:52:01.550853; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Observations from specific campaigns in Kansas, off the coast of California, and in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean.