MC3E Experiment Cloud Particle Probes Data from Central Oklahoma

Central Oklahoma's Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) produced this dataset from April to June 2011. It contains particle size distributions and images collected by three airborne probes (2D-C, CIP, HVPS-3) aboard a University of North Dakota Cessna Citation aircraft. The data, processed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), supports validation of satellite rainfall retrievals and model parameterizations.

Use Cases

• Validating GPM satellite precipitation retrieval algorithms over land using in-situ particle size distributions.
• Constraining cumulus parameterization schemes in weather and climate models with detailed cloud microphysics observations.
• Analyzing the relationship between particle imagery (CIP, HVPS-3) and size spectra for different hydrometeor types.
• Studying the microphysical structure and evolution of midlatitude convective cloud systems.
• Investigating environmental controls on precipitation formation using coordinated field campaign data.

Strengths

• Data originates from a coordinated field campaign (MC3E) designed for comprehensive characterization of convective systems.
• Combines measurements from three specialized particle probes (2D-C, CIP, HVPS-3) for a multi-instrument perspective.
• Provides a focused temporal snapshot from April 22 to June 2, 2011, during peak convective season.

Limitations

• Key technical specifications like row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, listing either 2011-06-02 or 2026-03 -13, suggesting potential metadata errors.

Provenance

Source

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Airborne in-situ measurements from probes (2D-C, CIP, HVPS-3) aboard the University of North Dakota Cessna Citation aircraft.

Time Range

2011-04-22 to 2011-06-02

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:01:24.236495

Geography

Central Oklahoma, USA