GCPEx Cold-Season Precipitation Data from Environment Canada POSS Radar

Environment Canada's Precipitation Occurrence Sensor System (POSS) dataset contains ground validation measurements for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. Data was gathered during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) in Ontario, Canada, from January 15 to March 1, 2012. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the organizing institution for this dataset.

Use Cases

• Validating and improving GPM satellite snowfall retrieval algorithms using ground-based radar observations.
• Analyzing microphysical properties of cold-season precipitation, including particle type and rate.
• Studying raindrop size distributions and Doppler velocity of hydrometeors during winter storms.
• Correlating particle scattering cross-section measurements from the bi-static X-band radar with precipitation occurrence.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused field campaign (GCPEx) designed to address specific algorithm shortcomings.
• Provides measurements for multiple precipitation characteristics: occurrence, type, rate, and particle size distribution.
• Instrument is a specialized bi-static X-band Doppler radar designed by a national meteorological agency (Environment Canada).

Limitations

• Key technical specifications like row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: Data.gov lists 2026-03 13, while NASA Earthdata lists 2012-03-01.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), using Environment Canada's POSS instrument.

Collection Method

Ground-based measurements collected by a bi-static X-band Doppler radar during the GCPEx field campaign.

Time Range

2012-01-15 to 2012-03-01

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:24:19.507189

Geography

Ontario, Canada