Iowa Flood Studies Precipitation Drop Size and Distribution Data

The GPM Ground Validation Autonomous Parsivel Unit (APU) IFloodS dataset provides precipitation data from several sites in eastern Iowa during the spring of 2013. It was collected for the Iowa Flood Studies Field Experiment to measure precipitation drop size, counts, and distribution using ground-based optical disdrometers. The dataset supports the validation of satellite precipitation measurements from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite precipitation retrievals from the GPM mission using ground-based drop size and velocity measurements.
• Analyzing hydrometeor type and size distribution for specific rain events in Eastern Iowa.
• Studying the relationship between precipitation intensity, drop counts, and fall velocity for flood prediction.
• Calibrating weather radar algorithms with in-situ observations of liquid precipitation rain characteristics.

Strengths

• Data was collected as part of a coordinated field campaign (IFloodS) with specific goals for ground and satellite validation.
• Instrumentation is described in detail, using an optical disdrometer (Parsivel) based on single particle extinction.
• The dataset's cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates its recognized importance for Earth science.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and column names are not provided on any platform, limiting detailed assessment.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist: Data.gov lists 2026-03-13, while NASA EarthData lists 2013-06 -17, creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data gathered using Autonomous Parsivel Unit (APU) optical disdrometers, which measure particle size and fall velocity via single particle extinction.

Time Range

Spring 2013

Freshness

2026-03 13 02:06:47.099575

Geography

Several sites in eastern Iowa, USA