GPM LPVEx: Kerava C-Band Radar Reflectivity for Light Precipitation

Finland's Gulf of Finland region is the focus of this radar reflectivity dataset from the Kerava dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar. It was collected during the Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Light Precipitation Validation Experiment field campaign from September 21 to October 20, 2010. The data aims to improve satellite precipitation algorithms by providing high-latitude, ground-based measurements of light rainfall systems.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-based precipitation estimates from the GPM mission based on ground radar reflectivity.
• Studying the characteristics and spatial distribution of light precipitation in high-latitude regions.
• Improving radar-based quantitative precipitation estimation algorithms for dual-polarimetric C-band systems.
• Analyzing the temporal evolution of precipitation systems over a one-month campaign period.

Strengths

• Data originates from a NASA-organized field campaign (GPM LPVEx), suggesting a structured scientific collection method.
• Covers a specific, well-defined one-month time range from September 21 to October 20, 2010.
• Provides dual-polarimetric radar data, which offers more information about hydrometeor types than single-polarization radar.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided in the sources.
• Conflicting freshness information exists: one source lists a last update in 2011, while others list a future date in 2026, casting doubt on metadata maintenance.
• The dataset's spatial coverage is implied (Gulf of Finland) but its exact geographic bounds are not explicitly defined.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected by the Kerava (KER) dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar during the GPM LPVEx field campaign.

Time Range

September 21, 2010 to October 20, 2010

Freshness

2026-04-10 02:40:57.428771

Geography

Kerava, Finland; measurements focused on the Gulf of Finland region.