FIRE: NOAA Wind Profiler Data for Marine Stratocumulus Studies

Four intensive field-observation periods between 1986 and 1992 collected data to improve cloud and radiation models. The dataset contains NOAA wind profiler data, including potential temperature, wind speeds, wind directions, and derived Richardson Numbers, splined to a 25-meter vertical and 1-hour temporal resolution. It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Use Cases

• Validate cloud life cycle models based on wind profiler and radiosonde data.
• Study the interaction of physical processes in marine stratocumulus systems based on coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations.
• Investigate relationships between ISCCP data and higher-resolution cloud data for model improvement.
• Analyze atmospheric stability using derived Richardson Numbers from profiler and sodar wind data.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a consistent 25-meter vertical and 1-hour temporal resolution.
• Includes multiple derived parameters like potential temperature and Richardson Numbers.
• Based on four coordinated field campaigns combining satellite, airborne, and surface observations.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data collection periods ended in 1992; temporal coverage is historical.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Coordinated field observations combining satellite, airborne, and surface measurements.

Time Range

Field campaigns conducted in 1986, 1987, 1991, and 1992.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:45:11.613454; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Marine stratocumulus observations off the southwestern coast of California and in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean.