GPM Ground Validation: Ceilometer Cloud Height Measurements at UConn, Dec 2023-May 2024

The GPM Ground Validation Ceilometers UConn dataset includes ceilometer cloud height measurements collected during a field campaign at the University of Connecticut. Data files are available from December 15, 2023, through May 21, 2024, in netCDF-4 format, with browse images in PNG. This dataset was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-based precipitation estimates based on ground-based cloud height measurements.
• Analyze winter precipitation events based on the unprecedented set of wintry precipitation observations.
• Calibrate atmospheric models based on ceilometer-derived aerosol backscatter and cloud height data.
• Study cloud formation and dynamics during winter based on time-series cloud height data.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated field campaign providing an unprecedented set of wintry precipitation observations.
• Covers a specific time range from December 15, 2023, through May 21, 2024.
• Data is available in the structured netCDF-4 format with associated browse images in PNG.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale modeling.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to a single field campaign location.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected during the GPM Ground Validation Field Campaign at the University of Connecticut using ceilometers.

Time Range

December 15, 2023, through May 21, 2024

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:26:22.308447; freshness should be verified.

Geography

University of Connecticut (UConn) field campaign site.