FIRE II: NCAR Aircraft Microphysical Data for Cirrus Cloud Studies

First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) data aims to improve cloud and radiation models in general circulation models. Microphysical parameters were derived from 2D probe data collected by the NCAR Kingair aircraft during the second cirrus intensive field observation in Kansas in late 1991. The dataset includes particle size spectra, area ratios, and calculated parameters like ice water content and precipitation rates.

Use Cases

• Validate and improve cloud microphysics parameterizations in General Circulation Models (GCMs) based on in-situ aircraft measurements.
• Study the life cycle and radiative properties of cirrus clouds based on coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations.
• Analyze particle size distributions and growth rates in cirrus clouds based on binned 2D probe data.
• Investigate relationships between cloud physical processes and satellite-derived data products.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated, multi-platform field experiment designed for model validation.
• Microphysical parameters are derived using established methodologies from referenced scientific literature.
• Particle data is binned with high resolution in smaller size categories, suggesting detailed spectral information.

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 and geographic bias inherent to the specific field campaign periods.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from 2D optical array probe data collected by NCAR aircraft during coordinated field observations.

Time Range

Primary data from the second cirrus IFO (November 13 - December 7, 1991).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:45:01.712088; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southeastern Kansas, USA, for the cirrus phase data described.