GPM LPVEx Satellite Microwave Brightness Temperature Data

Brightness temperature data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMI/S) was processed for the Light Precipitation Validation Experiment (LPVEx). This dataset, managed by the GHRC DAAC, supports the Global Precipitation Measurement project's mission to detect light rain in high-latitude environments. The data covers the campaign period from September 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011, and includes only swaths within the designated area of interest.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-based precipitation estimates against ground observations for light rain events.
• Analyzing microwave brightness temperature signatures in high-latitude, shallow freezing level environments.
• Characterizing the spatial and temporal patterns of light precipitation during the LPVEx field campaign.
• Supporting the development and refinement of retrieval algorithms for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

Strengths

• Data is focused on a specific scientific campaign (LPVEx) with a clear mission to study light rain.
• Provides a seven-month temporal record from September 2010 to March 2011 for the campaign region.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov indicates recognized importance and curation.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are not documented on any source platform.
• Sources conflict on the last update date, listing both 2011-03-31 and 2026-03-13.
• Exact file size and row count are unknown.

Provenance

Source

NOAA CLASS QC temperature data records, processed by the GPM Ground Validation team.

Collection Method

Satellite microwave radiometer data processed and subset to swaths within the LPVEx area of interest.

Time Range

September 1, - 2010 March 31, 2011

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:59:30.100353

Geography

High-latitude regions covered by the Light Precipitation Validation Experiment (LPVEx) campaign.