GPM CHILL Radar Data for MC3E Convective Cloud Experiment

NASA's GPM Ground Validation CHILL Radar MC3E dataset contains dual-polarization radar measurements from the CSU-CHILL radar during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment. Data was collected on May 24, 2011, in Oklahoma and Northeastern Colorado, synchronized with flight tracks of the NASA ER-2 aircraft. The dataset includes variables such as Doppler velocity, radial velocity, normalized coherent power, and radar reflectivity to support precipitation and wind analysis.

Use Cases

• Dual Doppler wind synthesis using synchronized volume scans from CHILL and Pawnee radars.
• Analysis of convective cloud properties using dual linear polarization variables.
• Validation of aircraft-based remote sensing data with ground radar observations.
• Study of precipitation structure during widespread rain events in midlatitude regions.

Strengths

• Includes dual-polarization variables for detailed microphysical analysis.
• Data collection was synchronized with NASA ER-2 aircraft flight legs for coordinated validation.
• Supports dual Doppler wind syntheses via synchronized scans with a secondary radar (Pawnee).

Limitations

• Dataset is limited to a single day of observation (May 24, 2011).
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and complete column lists are not provided across platforms.
• Platforms disagree on the last updated date (datagov lists 2026-03 13, nasa_earthdata lists 2011-05-24).

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected by the CSU-CHILL radar during the MC3E field campaign, with flight coordination from the NASA ER-2 aircraft.

Time Range

2011-05-24

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:06:04.181685

Geography

Oklahoma and Northeastern Colorado, USA