GRIP Cloud Microphysics: Hurricane Particle Data from Aircraft Probes

NASA's GRIP campaign deployed three specialized probes aboard DC-8, WB-57, and Global Hawk aircraft to capture in-situ cloud particle data during the 2010 hurricane season. The dataset includes particle images from the CIP-G and PIP probes and size distributions from 0.55 to 52.5 microns measured by the CAS probe. Its primary goal was to characterize the microphysical processes in tropical storms to improve understanding of hurricane formation and intensification.

Use Cases

• Analyzing hydrometeor size distributions (0.55–52.5 microns) to model cloud condensation and ice nucleation processes.
• Classifying particle types (liquid vs. ice) using grayscale particle images from the CIP-G and PIP probes.
• Investigating the relationship between in-situ microphysical measurements and hurricane lifecycle stages observed from August to September 2010.
• Validating remote sensing retrievals of cloud properties with coordinated aircraft-based in situ measurements.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused NASA field campaign (GRIP) using three distinct, manufacturer-specified probes from Droplet Measurement Technologies.
• Covers a specific, critical six-week observation period (13 Aug 2010 – 25 Sep 2010) during the Atlantic hurricane season.
• Combines multiple data modalities: direct particle imaging and quantitative size distribution measurements.

Limitations

• Key metadata is missing: specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided on any platform.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2010 vs. 2026) across platforms create uncertainty about data currency or reprocessing.
• Documentation gaps exist, as the license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without details.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected in situ from CAPS, PIP, and CDP probes aboard DC-8, WB-57, and Global Hawk UAS aircraft during the GRIP campaign.

Time Range

13 Aug 2010 through 25 Sep 2010

Freshness

2026-04-10 02:19:50.578197

Geography

Flight paths of NASA aircraft during the GRIP campaign, likely focused on tropical Atlantic regions where hurricanes form.