First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Phase II data contains airborne measurements of cloud microphysics from the University of North Dakota's Citation II aircraft. The dataset was collected during an intensive field observation period in southeastern Kansas from November 13 to December 7, 1991. It was produced by the LARC_ASDC organization to study cirrus cloud life cycles and properties for improving climate models.
Use Cases
- Analyze cloud particle size distributions using measurements from Particle Measuring Systems probes (FSSP, 1D-C, 2D-C, 1D-P).
- Correlate liquid water content and icing rate measurements with temperature, dew point, and pressure data to study cloud phase.
- Derive turbulence intensity from differential pressure transducer and INS accelerometer outputs alongside three-dimensional wind field data.
- Validate satellite cloud retrievals by comparing in-situ particle concentration and size data with coordinated satellite observations from the IFO.
- Investigate cirrus cloud radiative properties by linking microphysical measurements with upward and downward looking radiometer data.
Strengths
- Data from a dedicated research aircraft with structural modifications for atmospheric measurements, including wing-tip pylons and a nose boom.
- Combines coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations from a focused intensive field observation period.
Limitations
- Dataset is temporally stale, with the last update recorded in December 1991.
- Specific row counts, column details, and sample sizes are unknown.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Earth Data (LARC_ASDC), University of North Dakota.
- Collection Method
- Airborne measurements from a modified Cessna Citation II aircraft using an array of Particle Measuring Systems probes and basic instrumentation for atmospheric state.
- Time Range
- Primary collection from November 13 to December 7, 1991.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Southeastern Kansas, United States, during the second cirrus intensive field observation.