GPM Ground Validation C-Band Radar Data for Light Precipitation

Kumpula C-band radar data captures dual-polarimetric reflectivity measurements from a high-latitude site in Finland. This dataset was collected during the Light Precipitation Validation Experiment (LPVEx) field campaign from September 2010 through January 2011 to improve Global Precipitation Measurement satellite algorithms. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides the data in RAW and UF formats with PNG browse imagery.

Use Cases

• Validating and calibrating satellite-based precipitation estimates from the GPM mission using ground radar reflectivity.
• Analyzing the microphysical structure of light rain and snow systems in high-latitude coastal environments.
• Studying temporal patterns of light precipitation over a five-month winter period in the Gulf of Finland region.

Strengths

• Data originates from a dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar, providing detailed measurements of precipitation structure.
• Covers a specific five-month campaign (September 2010 to January 2011) focused on a critical observational gap: high-latitude light rainfall.
• Supported by the NASA GPM mission, indicating a structured calibration and validation purpose.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates exist between platforms (2011-01 31 vs. 2026-03-13), suggesting potential metadata inconsistency.
• Core data specifications like row count, file size, and specific column names are unavailable across all sources.
• License information is unclear, listed as 'other-license-specified' on one platform and null on another.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the Kumpula (KUM) dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar during the GPM LPVEx field campaign.

Time Range

September 01,, 2010 through January 31, 2011

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:06:31.428565

Geography

Kumpula, Finland; Gulf of Finland region