University of Utah lidar data from the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Phase II field campaign. The dataset contains raw, background-subtracted lidar return signals for studying cirrus cloud properties and life cycles. Observations were conducted during an intensive field period from November 13 to December 7, 1991.
Use Cases
- Analyze lidar return signal intensity (0-25600 scaled units) to study cirrus cloud optical depth and structure.
- Validate general circulation model (GCM) cloud parameterizations using high-resolution lidar observations.
- Investigate the life cycle of cirrus cloud systems by correlating lidar profiles with coordinated satellite and surface data.
- Study cloud radiative properties using polarization diversity lidar techniques referenced in the Sassen (1994) methodology.
Strengths
- Data from a coordinated, multi-platform intensive field observation (IFO) campaign combining satellite, airborne, and surface measurements.
- Lidar signal data includes defined scaling factor (100) and value range (0-25600) for calibration.
Limitations
- Temporal coverage is limited to a single field campaign period in late 1991.
- Geographic coverage is specific to the southeastern Kansas observation site for this phase.
- Raw data format and specific column schema are not described in the provided information.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center (LARC_ASDC).
- Collection Method
- Airborne polarization diversity lidar observations collected during the FIRE Cirrus Phase II intensive field campaign.
- Time Range
- 1991-11-13 to 1991-12-07
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Southeastern Kansas, United States.