NAMMA TOGA Radar Data: Cape Verde Monsoon Observations

NASA's NAMMA TOGA Radar Data V1 contains products from a C-band scanning radar deployed in Cape Verde during the 2006 African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses campaign. The radar operated nearly continuously from August 15 to September 16, 2006, collecting measurements of horizontal reflectivity (ZH), radial velocity (VR), and spectral width (SW). This dataset supports research into African Easterly Waves and Mesoscale Convective Systems and their impacts on regional water and energy budgets.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the evolution of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) using time-series radar reflectivity (ZH) and radial velocity (VR) data.
• Studying the structure and lifecycle of Mesoscale Convective Systems via spectral width (SW) and reflectivity measurements.
• Validating satellite precipitation estimates or numerical weather models with ground-based radar observations from a specific field campaign.
• Investigating the relationship between convective storm kinematics (from VR) and intensity (from ZH) in a tropical monsoon environment.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused NASA field campaign (NAMMA) with a clear scientific mission to study monsoon processes.
• Provides a continuous temporal record of three key radar variables (ZH, VR, SW) over a 33-day period in 2006.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates recognized importance and institutional curation.

Limitations

• Core dataset metrics (row count, file size) are unspecified across all sources, hindering assessment of data volume.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026-03 12 (a future date), while NASA EarthData lists 2006-09-16.
• Column names and precise data formats beyond generic types (BIN, TEXT) are not detailed, complicating technical use.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate.

Collection Method

Collected by the NASA TOGA C-band scanning radar deployed on Sao Tiago, Cape Verde.

Time Range

2006-08-15 to 2006-09-16

Freshness

2006-09 16 23:59:59

Geography

Republic of Cape Verde, specifically the southern tip of Sao Tiago island (14.92N, 23.48W).