The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) Precipitation Occurrence Sensor System (POSS) GCPEx dataset is comprised of data gathered during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx), which took place in Ontario, Canada, January 15 - March 1, 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. The POSS is a bi-static X-band Doppler radar designed by Environment Canada. The POSS measures a signal whose frequency is proportional to the particle Doppler velocity and whose amplitude is proportional to the particle scattering cross-section. Its measurements can be used to provide information regarding precipitation occurrence, type, rate, and raindrop size distribution.

The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) Manual Precipitation Measurements GCPEx dataset was collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) in Ontario, Canada with data collections from January 18 - March 28, 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. Precipitation amount, weight, snow water equivalent and present weather condition were recorded using a Tretyakov gauge inside a double fence intercomparison reference (DFIR) shield.

The GPM Ground Validation Total Precipitation Sensor (HotPlate) GCPEx dataset provides a measure of the liquid precipitation rate and accumulation for snow. Additional data includes measurements of temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, pressure, and solar and infrared radiation flux. These data were gathered during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) at the CARE and SkyDive sites in Ontario, Canada during November 7, 2011 - February 21, 2012. 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.

The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) Weather Station XET C3VP dataset consists of surface meteorological data collected at the Environment Canada (EC) XET station at the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) during the Canadian CloudSat/CALIPSO Validation Project (C3VP) field campaign. The campaign took place in southern Canada in support of multiple science missions, including the NASA GPM mission, in order to improve the modeling and remote sensing of winter precipitation. The XET C3VP dataset file includes temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, solar radiation, grass temperature, soil temperature, snow depth, sunshine, and precipitation measurements from October 4, 2006 through March 31, 2007 in ASCII-csv format.

The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) Radiosonde GCPEx dataset provides measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, and winds collected by Vaisala RS92 Radiosondes during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) at the CARE site in Ontario, Canada, January 17, 2012 through February 29, 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.

The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) Radiometer GCPEx dataset contains retrievals of temperature, water vapor, relative humidity, liquid water profiles and surface parameters acquired by a passive microwave radiometer during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) in Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2012 through March 1, 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.

The GPM Ground Validation Environment Canada (EC) VAISALA Ceilometer GCPEx dataset was collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) in Huronia, Canada from January 15, 2012 through March 1, 2012. 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. The CT25K ceilometer uses pulsed diode laser LIDAR technology to derive backscatter profiles, cloud heights and vertical visibilities. It is also able to detect 3 cloud layers simultaneously.