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GPM Ground Validation McGill Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) and W-Band Radar GCPEx Table of Contents
The GPM Ground Validation McGill Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) and W-Band Radar GCPEx data sets were collected using a VertiX radar and W-band radar at the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments in Ontario, Canada for the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) during the winter season of 2011-2012. The VertiX can detect all precipitation targets and some ice clouds as well as measure the Doppler velocity of precipitation targets. The W-band radar is a single antenna 94-GHz Doppler radar. The data sets are available in netCDF format. The following example shows how to cite the use of these data sets in a publication. For more information, please see our Citing GHRC DAAC and Data page. Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) Radar
The GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) occurred in Ontario, Canada during the winter season of 2011-2012. GCPEx addressed shortcomings in the GPM snowfall retrieval algorithm by collecting microphysical properties, associated remote sensing observations, and coordinated model simulations of precipitating snow. These data sets were collected to aid in the achievement of the over arching goal of GCPEx which is to characterize the ability of multi-frequency active and passive microwave sensors to detect and estimate falling snow. During GCPEX, the VertiX and W-band radars were located at the CARE facility in Ontario, Canada. The coordinates of the CARE site are: Lat: 44°13'59.45"N, Lon: 79°46'50.11"W. Data from the VertiX radar was collected from January 15, 2012 through February 29, 2012. Data from the W-band radar was collected from February 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012. Further details on GCPEx are available at http://gpm.nsstc.nasa.gov/gcpex. Information on the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is available at http://pmm.nasa.gov/GPM. Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) Radar The McGill vertically pointing radar (VertiX) is a X-band radar which produces radar images of overhead weather. VertiX is a boat radar transmitter-receiver with an attached parabolic antenna and a data collection system. The radar is capable of detecting all precipitation targets, some ice clouds, and the turbulence associated with developing cumulus clouds (although just barely). It also has the ability to measure the Doppler velocity of precipitation targets. Additional information about the VertiX may be found at http://www.radar.mcgill.ca/. The W-band radar is a single antenna, 94-GHz pulsed Doppler, vertical pointing radar system. Data products from the W-band radar include radar reflectivity, Doppler moments, and Doppler spectra of variable lengths. The W-band radar is primarily used to research cloud properties. Additional information about the W-band radar may be found at http://www.radar.mcgill.ca/. Dr. Pavlos Kollias The GPM Ground Validation McGill Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) and W-Band Radar GCPEx data set consists of .nc netCDF files. The files are named with the following convention:
where,
Not all days during the study period contain a file with the "_1" extension. View the McGill_data_documentation_gcpex.txt document for an example of the netCDF files and information on data unpacking. The GPM Ground Validation McGill Vertical Pointing X-Band (VertiX) and W-Band Radar GCPEx data sets are available in netCDF format. To order these data or for further information, please contact:
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