GCPEx Satellite Overpasses for Cold-Season Precipitation Validation

SSMIS satellite overpass data from three satellites (F-16, F-17, F-18) collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment in Ontario, Canada. The dataset integrates radiometric measurements with radar precipitation data, snow cover maps, and atmospheric reanalysis for land surface emissivity studies. The experiment ran from January 17 to February 29, 2012, with overpasses identified within 700 km of the central field site.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-based precipitation estimates against ground-based radar (NMQ) data.
• Studying land surface emissivity by combining SSMIS brightness temperature with MERRA atmospheric state data.
• Analyzing the impact of snow and ice cover (IMS data) on microwave radiometric signatures.
• Investigating the structure and intensity of winter precipitation events using matched satellite and radar overpasses.

Strengths

• Integrates data from four distinct sources (SSMIS, NMQ radar, IMS snow maps, MERRA reanalysis) for a multi-faceted analysis.
• Focuses on a specific, well-documented field campaign (GCPEx) with a clear time range of 44 days in early 2012.
• Includes overpasses from three separate SSMIS satellite platforms (F-16, F-17, F-18).

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2012-02-29 and another listing 2026-03 13.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite overpasses from SSMIS instruments matched with ground-based radar, snow mapping, and atmospheric reanalysis datasets.

Time Range

2012-01-17 to 2012-02-29

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:25:40.219817

Geography

Ontario, Canada, with satellite overpasses within a 700 km radius of the central field site.