GPM Vantaa C-Band Radar Data for Light Precipitation Validation

Vantaa dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar data was collected from September 16, 2010 through January 31, 2011 during the GPM Light Precipitation Validation Experiment (LPVEx) around the Gulf of Finland. This dataset provides reflectivity measurements for high-latitude, light precipitation systems to improve satellite precipitation algorithms. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration made the data available in RAW, UF, and PNG formats.

Use Cases

• Validating and improving reflectivity algorithms for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission.
• Analyzing the structure and intensity of light precipitation systems over the Gulf of Finland.
• Studying dual-polarimetric radar signatures for specific precipitation types in a high-latitude environment.
• Comparing ground-based C-Band radar measurements with concurrent satellite overpass data.

Strengths

• Data covers a specific 4.5-month field campaign (September 16, 2010 to January 31, 2011) for temporal analysis.
• Provides ground validation for a major satellite mission (GPM) from a dedicated field experiment (LPVEx).
• Includes data from a dual-polarimetric C-Band Doppler radar, enabling analysis of multiple reflectivity parameters.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2026-03-13 and another 2011-01 31.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

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

Time Range

September 16, 2010 through January 31, 2011

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:06:50.410890

Geography

Gulf of Finland region, Finland