GPM Cold-Season Snowfall Radar Data for Algorithm Validation

NEXRAD radar data from the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) collected to improve satellite-based snowfall detection algorithms. Observations span January 9 to March 12, 2012, from the KCBW radar site as part of a NASA-led validation campaign. Data files include Level 2 binary and Level 3 compressed binary formats for analysis.

Use Cases

• Validating multi-frequency active and passive microwave sensor algorithms for snowfall detection using radar reflectivity data.
• Analyzing microphysical properties of precipitating snow through coordinated radar observations and model simulations.
• Studying cold-season precipitation dynamics using time-series radar data on mean radial velocity and spectrum width.
• Ground-truthing satellite-based precipitation estimates from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission.

Strengths

• Data originates from the established NEXRAD network of 160 WSR-88D Doppler radar sites, ensuring standardized collection methods.
• Focused collection during a dedicated 2-month field campaign (GCPEx) designed to address specific algorithm shortcomings.
• Provides both Level 2 (base data) and Level 3 (derived products) radar data formats for different analysis needs.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov signals its importance for the earth science community.

Limitations

• Key metadata conflicts exist: the reported last update date differs significantly between 2012-03-12 and 2026-03 13 across sources.
• Specific row counts, dataset size, and a complete list of data columns are not provided by any source.
• License information is inconsistent, listed as 'other-license-specified' on some platforms and 'None' on others.

Provenance

Source

GHRC DAAC (Global Hydrology Resource Center Distributed Active Archive Center) for NASA.

Collection Method

Collected by the KCBW site of the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system, specifically the WSR-88D Doppler radar.

Time Range

2012-01-09 to 2012-03-12

Freshness

2026 03-13 02:04:04.566407

Geography

United States and select overseas locations (specific to the NEXRAD network); data from the KCBW radar site.