Ground Validation Raindrop Size and Velocity Data from IPHEx

This dataset contains optical disdrometer measurements of raindrop size and fall velocity from NASA's Autonomous Parsivel Unit (APU) instruments. It was collected during the Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) in western North Carolina to study warm-season orographic precipitation in complex terrain. The data includes derived parameters like precipitation rate, reflectivity, and mass-weighted mean diameter.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite precipitation estimates from the GPM mission using ground-based drop size distribution measurements.
• Analyzing the relationship between precipitation regimes and hydrologic processes in mountainous regions like western North Carolina.
• Studying warm-season orographic precipitation characteristics, including particle size and fall velocity distributions.
• Calculating integral precipitation parameters such as precipitation rate and reflectivity from disdrometer data.

Strengths

• Provides direct, ground-based measurements of raindrop size and velocity using optical disdrometer technology.
• Data is associated with a focused NASA field campaign (IPHEx) designed to study orographic precipitation.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates recognized scientific importance.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Conflicting last-updated dates exist: Data.gov lists 2026-03-13, while NASA EarthData lists 2014-06-19.
• Data format is ASCII encoded, which may require parsing for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Acquired by multiple Autonomous Parsivel Unit (APU) optical disdrometers during the IPHEx field campaign.

Time Range

During the Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx).

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:06:36.590450

Geography

Western North Carolina, USA.