GPM Ground Validation W-band Cloud Radar Data from C3VP Campaign

GPM Ground Validation NASA W-band Airborne Cloud Radar (WACR) C3VP dataset provides calibrated co- and cross-polarized radar reflectivity at 94 GHz. The data were collected by NASA's Global Hydrology Resource Center Distributed Active Archive Center (GHRC DAAC) during the Canadian CloudSat/CALIPSO Validation Project field campaign from October 30, 2006, through March 2, 2007. It was deployed as a surface-based, zenith-pointing instrument in Ontario, Canada, to support the validation of satellite precipitation measurements and improve winter precipitation modeling.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-based precipitation retrievals from the GPM mission using ground-based radar reflectivity profiles.
• Studying cloud microphysical properties and structure in winter precipitation events using calibrated 94 GHz reflectivity data.
• Improving numerical weather prediction models for winter precipitation by providing high-frequency radar observations for data assimilation.
• Supporting the calibration and validation efforts of the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellite missions with coincident, ground-truth radar measurements.

Strengths

• Provides calibrated, dual-polarization radar data at the high frequency of 94 GHz, sensitive to small cloud particles.
• Covers a focused winter campaign period from October 2006 to March 2007, offering temporally concentrated data for cold-season studies.
• Data is hosted by NASA's GHRC DAAC and appears on multiple authoritative platforms, indicating established curation and importance for the community.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting detailed assessment of structure and volume.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2007-03-02 and others listing 2026-03-13, creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected by a surface-based, zenith-pointing W-band Airborne Cloud Radar deployed in the Cloud Radar Trailer at the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) facility.

Time Range

October 30, 2006 through March 2, 2007.

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:21:09.438905

Geography

Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) facility in Ontario, southern Canada.