FIRE Cirrus Cloud Aircraft Measurements from 1991

113 variables of 5-second resolution atmospheric data collected during the 1991 Cirrus Intensive Field Observation. The dataset contains aircraft-based measurements from the University of North Dakota's Citation II research plane, managed by the NASA LARC ASDC organization. Data was last updated in November 1991.

Use Cases

• Analyze relationships between INS Wind velocity, Calculated Wind velocity, and Static pressure to study atmospheric dynamics within cirrus clouds.
• Model cloud radiative properties using time-series data from upward and downward looking radiometers mounted on the aircraft.
• Validate satellite-derived cloud data (e.g., from ISCCP) by comparing with in-situ measurements like Pressure Altitude and INS Altitude.
• Investigate aircraft performance and measurement conditions using True Air Speed, Pitch angle, and Roll angle time-series.

Strengths

• Contains 113 distinct atmospheric measurement variables per 5-second record.
• Data is from a dedicated research aircraft (Cessna Citation II) with specialized structural modifications for atmospheric sensing.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to specific field campaigns, primarily the November-December 1991 cirrus IFO.
• Data recency is low, with last update in 1991, limiting analysis of contemporary climate conditions.

Provenance

Source

NASA Langley Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC ASDC).

Collection Method

Collected via instrumented Cessna Citation II research aircraft during the FIRE Cirrus Phase II Intensive Field Observation.

Time Range

Primary coverage from the second cirrus IFO, November 13 to December 7, 1991.

Freshness

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Geography

Observations focused on southeastern Kansas during the 1991 cirrus IFO.