Ship-Based Precipitation Particle Size Data for Satellite Validation

Precipitation particle size distribution data was collected by an Eigenbrodt Optical Disdrometer designed for ship-based platforms. Measurements were taken aboard the RV Aranda research vessel during the Light Precipitation Validation Experiment (LPVEx) in September and October 2010 around the Gulf of Finland. The dataset is managed by the GHRC DAAC and serves to validate satellite precipitation algorithms.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite precipitation retrieval algorithms using ground-truth particle size distributions.
• Studying the microphysical processes of light rainfall formation in high-latitude marine atmospheres.
• Assessing the performance of disdrometer instruments on moving ship platforms in variable wind conditions.
• Analyzing temporal trends in precipitation particle characteristics over the Gulf of Finland in autumn 2010.

Strengths

• Data originates from a specialized instrument (Eigenbrodt ODM) designed for accurate measurement on moving ships in high winds.
• Dataset supports a focused, peer-reviewed field campaign (LPVEx) with clear scientific goals for satellite validation.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov indicates recognized importance and curation.

Limitations

• Specific column names and the total row count are not provided by any source, limiting detailed analysis.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2010-09-26 vs 2026-03-13) create uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• Temporal coverage is limited to a short campaign period (September 15-26, 2010).

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Collected by an Eigenbrodt Optical Disdrometer deployed onboard the RV Aranda research vessel.

Time Range

September to October 2010.

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:20:16.965874

Geography

Gulf of Finland.