FIRE Cirrus Phase II: Cloud Microphysics Data from Citation Aircraft Probes

The First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Phase II dataset contains airborne measurements from the University of North Dakota's Cessna Citation II aircraft during the second cirrus intensive field observation in southeastern Kansas from November 13 to December 7, 1991. The data was collected by NASA and includes measurements from Particle Measuring Systems probes for cloud particle concentration and size, along with temperature, dew point, pressure, wind, and aircraft position. The goal was to improve understanding of cirrus cloud life cycles and their radiative properties for use in general circulation models.

Use Cases

• Calibrating satellite cloud retrievals based on in-situ microphysical measurements.
• Developing parameterizations for cirrus clouds in climate models based on particle size and concentration data.
• Studying the relationship between turbulence and cloud microphysics based on derived wind and accelerometer data.
• Analyzing the life cycle of cirrus cloud systems based on coordinated time-series observations.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated field experiment combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations.
• Includes measurements from an array of specialized probes (FSSP, 1D-C, 2D-C, 1D-P) covering particle sizes from one micrometer to several millimeters.
• Aircraft was structurally modified for research, including pylons for undisturbed airflow and a nose boom for wind measurement.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in older or specialized formats (BIN, TAR, ISO), which may require specific tools for access.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Airborne measurements collected by a modified Cessna Citation II research aircraft using Particle Measuring Systems probes and other instrumentation.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:51:03.358118; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southeastern Kansas, USA, during the second cirrus IFO.