FIRE_CI2_MAPS: Cloud System Analysis for Climate Models

Four intensive field-observation periods from 1986 to 1992 provide coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface data on cirrus and marine stratocumulus clouds. This product was designed to improve cloud and radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). The MAPS analysis system combines profiler, ACARS, surface, and radiosonde data with a 3-hour forecast model to generate parameters like Pressure, Montgomery Streamfunction, and Wind Speed.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite cloud retrievals from ISCCP against coordinated airborne and surface observations.
• Improving cloud life cycle and radiative property parameterizations in general circulation models.
• Analyzing mesoscale atmospheric conditions using 3-hourly MAPS analyses of pressure, temperature, and wind fields.

Strengths

• Data is based on four coordinated, multi-platform field campaigns spanning 1986 to 1992.
• Product is designed for a specific, high-impact use case: improving parameterizations in climate models.
• Cross-platform presence on datagov and nasa_earthdata signals its established importance in the research community.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing: specific column definitions, row counts, and file sizes are not provided.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2026-04-10 on datagov vs. 1991-12-08 on nasa_earthdata) create uncertainty about data currency.
• Documentation appears sparse, with column names listed as 'unknown' across all sources.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with MAPS system developed by NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL).

Collection Method

Combined satellite (ISCCP), airborne, and surface observations integrated with the MAPS numerical forecast and analysis system.

Time Range

1986-10-13 to 1992-06-28 (covers the four Intensive Field Observation periods).

Freshness

2026-04-10 03:24:20.268216 (datagov), but conflicts with older nasa_earthdata date.

Geography

Southwestern coast of California, southeastern Kansas, eastern North Atlantic Ocean.