NEXRAD Radar Data for Midlatitude Convective Cloud Experiment

Radar data from the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system collected for the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) in central Oklahoma. The dataset was gathered by NASA from April 22 to June 6, 2011, to characterize convective cloud systems and precipitation for improving satellite rainfall retrievals and model parameterizations. It provides ground validation for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission.

Use Cases

• Validating space-based rainfall retrieval algorithms over land using ground-based radar reflectivity data.
• Providing constraints for model cumulus parameterizations with detailed environmental and precipitation observations.
• Analyzing the structure and evolution of midlatitude convective cloud systems using spectral width and mean radial velocity measurements.
• Studying precipitation patterns in central Oklahoma during the spring 2011 season using radar imagery.

Strengths

• Data originates from the operational NEXRAD network of 160 WSR-88D radar sites, ensuring a standardized collection method.
• Covers a focused 46-day period during the intensive MC3E field campaign designed for comprehensive characterization.
• Includes multiple radar data products such as reflectivity, spectral width, and mean radial velocity for multi-faceted analysis.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and a complete column list are unavailable from the provided sources.
• Sources conflict on the last update date, with one listing 2011-06-06 and another listing 2026-03-13, suggesting potential metadata inconsistency.
• Data is available only in compressed binary formats, which may require specialized software or libraries for access and processing.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system, specifically the WSR-88D site KICT, during the MC3E field campaign.

Time Range

April 22, 2011 to June 6, 2011

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:23:35.792107

Geography

Central Oklahoma, United States