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GPM Ground Validation Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) MC3E Table of Contents
The GPM Ground Validation Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) MC3E dataset includes a subset of ENTLN data for the period of the MC3E campaign, April 1, 2011 – June 15, 2011. The Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) is an integrated in-cloud (IC) lightning and cloud-to-ground (CG) detection network deployed on a global basis capable of detecting long range in-cloud lightning at high efficiencies critical for the advanced prediction of severe weather phenomena. The data is available in ASCII .dat files, but access is restricted to approved MC3E participants and collaborators that have a working relationship with the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Lightning Group. CitationThe following example shows how to cite the use of this dataset in a publication. For more information, please see our Citing GHRC DAAC and Data page. Campaign The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Ground Validation (GV) campaign used a variety of methods for validation of GPM satellite constellation measurements prior to launch of the GPM Core Satellite, which launched on February 27th, 2014. The validation effort included numerous GPM-specific and joint-agency/international external field campaigns, using state of the art cloud and precipitation observational infrastructure (polarimetric radars, profilers, rain gauges, disdrometers). Surface rainfall was measured by very dense rain gauge and disdrometer networks at various field campaign sites. These field campaigns accounted for the majority of the effort and resources expended by Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Ground Validation (GV). More information about the GPM mission is available here http://pmm.nasa.gov/GPM. The Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) took place in central Oklahoma during the April–June 2011 period. The experiment was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Ground Validation (GV) program. The field campaign leveraged the unprecedented observing infrastructure currently available in the central United States, combined with an extensive sounding array, remote sensing and in situ aircraft observations, NASA GPM ground validation remote sensors, and new ARM instrumentation purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The overarching goal was to provide the most complete characterization of convective cloud systems, precipitation, and the environment that has ever been obtained, providing constraints for model cumulus parameterizations and space-based rainfall retrieval algorithms over land that had never before been available. More information about the MC3E campaign is available here http://pmm.nasa.gov/node/301 and here http://campaign.arm.gov/mc3e/. Instrument DescriptionThe Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) uses time-of-arrival detection methodology with GPS technology and sophisticated algorithms to accurately locate and classify lightning types, in-cloud (IC) or cloud-to-ground (CG); it should be noted that ENTLN was originally named WeatherBug Total Lightning Network (WTLN). An ENLS instrument includes an antenna, a GPS receiver, a GPS-based timing circuit, a digital signal processor (DSP), and onboard storage and internet communication equipment. There are more than 800 ENTLN wideband sensors (frequency ranging from 1HZ to 12MHZ) deployed globally. Because of the advanced predictive abilities of ENTLN, it has the potential to significantly improve severe weather warning times over radar and other technologies. More general information about the ENTLN system can be found here http://www.earthnetworks.com. When an ENTLN sensor detects lightning waveforms it records and sends the waveforms to a central lightning detection server; the waveform arrival time and amplitude is used to define the peak current of the stroke and the latitude, longitude, and altitude. Strokes are clustered into a flash if they are found to be within 10 kilometers and 700 milliseconds. Flashes are then classified as either CG or IC (if the flash contains at least one return stroke it is a CG flash, else it is an IC flash). More detailed information about the ENTLN system can be found in the article, The Application of Total Lightning Detection and Cell Tracking for Severe Weather Prediction, by Liu and Heckman. File Naming ConventionThe ENTLN dataset includes point data for lightning recorded during the MC3E campaign. The following file naming convention is used for the dataset files:
Where, Data Format The ENTLN dataset is available in ASCII .dat files, but access is restricted to approved MC3E participants and collaborators that have a working relationship with the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Lightning Group. Earth Networks Total Lightning Network. Earth Networks' website: http://www.earthnetworks.com/Products/TotalLightningNetwork.aspx Liu, C. and S. Heckman, 2011: The application of total lightning detection and cell tracking for severe weather prediction. WMO Technical Conference on Instruments and Methods of Observation (TECO-2010). Contact InformationTo order these data or for further information, please contact:
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