Midlatitude Convective Cloud Radar Data for MC3E

Central Oklahoma radar data from the KTLX NEXRAD site, collected for the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) from April 22 to June 6, 2011. This NASA dataset provides ground validation for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission, characterizing convective cloud systems and precipitation. Files are available in compressed binary format.

Use Cases

• Validating space-based precipitation estimates from the GPM mission using ground radar reflectivity and velocity data.
• Studying the structure and dynamics of midlatitude convective cloud systems using Doppler radar imagery.
• Providing environmental constraints for improving numerical weather prediction model parameterizations.
• Analyzing spectrum width and mean radial velocity features for severe weather research.

Strengths

• Data originates from the operational NEXRAD network, a system of 160 calibrated WSR-88D Doppler radars.
• Covers a focused 46-day period during a major field campaign (MC3E) designed for detailed characterization.
• Provides multiple radar data products including reflectivity, velocity, and spectrum width.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and exact column names are not provided across any platform.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, listing either 2011-06-06 or a future date of 2026-03-13.
• Data is in a compressed binary format which requires specialized software or libraries for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the KTLX Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) site as part of the NEXRAD network.

Time Range

2011-04-22 to 2011-06-06

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:23:02.258449

Geography

Central Oklahoma, United States