NOAA UHF 449 Profiler Data for Convective Cloud Study

April-June 2011 data from the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) provides raw Doppler velocity spectra from a 449 MHz profiler. This dataset, collected by NOAA and archived by NASA, offers estimates of vertical air motion during precipitation events from near the surface to just below the freezing level. The data supports the retrieval of vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions when used with complementary S-band profiler measurements.

Use Cases

• Retrieving vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions by combining Doppler velocity spectra with S-band profiler data.
• Estimating vertical air motion during precipitation events to characterize convective cloud dynamics.
• Providing ground validation data for satellite-based precipitation measurements from missions like GPM.
• Analyzing uncalibrated Doppler velocity spectra in units of relative power return for wind profile studies.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused NASA-supported field campaign (MC3E) designed for detailed convective system characterization.
• Provides vertical wind data from near the surface to just below the freezing level, capturing key atmospheric layers.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA Earthdata indicates established archival and importance for validation.

Limitations

• Core data specifics like row count, file size, and exact column names are not provided by any source.
• Data is described as 'raw' and 'uncalibrated', requiring expert processing for quantitative use.
• A conflict exists in 'last updated' metadata, with dates ranging from 2011 to a future 2026 date, casting doubt on maintenance records.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), archived by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Collection Method

Collected by a ground-based Ultra High Frequency 449 MHz profiler during the MC3E field campaign.

Time Range

April-June 2011

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:00:59.349712

Geography

Midlatitude continental region (presumably central United States, specific to MC3E).