GCPEx Ground Validation Radar Data for Snowfall Retrieval

United States and select overseas NEXRAD radar data were collected from January 9 to March 12, 2012 for the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx). This dataset provides Level 2 and Level 3 binary files from the KCXX radar site, aimed at characterizing multi-frequency microwave sensor detection of falling snow. It was produced by the GHRC DAAC for validating and improving GPM satellite snowfall retrieval algorithms.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite snowfall retrieval algorithms using ground-based radar reflectivity and radial velocity measurements.
• Analyzing the microphysical properties of precipitating snow during cold-season events.
• Comparing coordinated model simulations of snowfall with observed radar spectral width and reflectivity data.
• Studying the performance of multi-frequency active and passive microwave sensors for snow detection.

Strengths

• Data collection was part of a focused, time-bound scientific campaign (GCPEx) from January 9 to March 12, 2012, providing a controlled validation period.
• Sourced from the operational NEXRAD network, which consists of 160 WSR-88D radar sites, ensuring standardized data collection methods.
• Available at both Level 2 (base data) and Level 3 (derived products) processing levels, offering flexibility for different analysis needs.

Limitations

• Key quantitative metadata is missing across all sources: exact row count, file size, and a complete column list are unknown.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date, reporting either 2012-03-12 or 2026-03-13, creating uncertainty about recent modifications.
• Data is provided in proprietary binary formats (BIN), which may require specific software or libraries for access and analysis.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected by the KCXX Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) site as part of the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) field campaign.

Time Range

2012-01-09 to 2012-03-12

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:23:54.190745

Geography

United States and select overseas locations covered by the NEXRAD network, with specific data from the KCXX radar site.