GCPEx Meteorological Tower Data for Snowfall Algorithm Validation

Meteorological tower data provides temperature, relative humidity, 10 m winds, pressure, and solar radiation measurements collected at a 10-meter tower during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx). The dataset was gathered by NASA over the Ontario region of Canada to address shortcomings in the GPM satellite snowfall retrieval algorithm. Observations were made from January 15 through March 1, 2012, using an Automated Transportable Meteorological Observation Station.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-derived snowfall estimates from the GPM mission using ground-based meteorological observations.
• Analyzing relationships between surface temperature, humidity, and wind conditions during cold-season precipitation events.
• Studying the microphysical properties of snow by correlating tower data with coordinated remote sensing observations and model simulations.
• Calibrating instruments and algorithms for measuring atmospheric pressure and solar radiation in winter conditions.

Strengths

• Data collection was part of a targeted field campaign (GCPEx) designed to improve a specific satellite retrieval algorithm for snowfall.
• Provides a focused 46-day time series of continuous meteorological measurements during the winter season.
• Includes multiple standard atmospheric variables (temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, radiation) from a single, instrumented tower.

Limitations

• The exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: one lists 2012-03-01, while another lists 2026-03 13, suggesting potential metadata inconsistencies.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Data collected by a suite of standard meteorological instruments attached to a 10 m tower, assembled by an Automated Transportable Meteorological Observation Station (ATMOS).

Time Range

2012-01-15 to 2012-03-01

Freshness

2026-03-13 22:34:22.191390

Geography

Ontario region of Canada