The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems. The University of North Dakota owns and operates a Cessna Citation II aircraft (N77ND) for the purpose of atmospheric research. This aircraft type has a number of design and performance characteristics which make it an ideal platform for a wide range of atmospheric studies. A series of structural modifications have been made to the basic airplane. These include the following: pylons under the wing tips for a variety of probes in the undisturbed air flow away from the fuselage; a nose boom for wind measurement; a heated radome to prevent ice accumulation on the nose area; special mounts for upward and downward looking radiometers; side-facing camera mounts for time-lapse cameras; optically-flat glass windows for photography; and an air inlet port for air sampling inside the pressurized cabin. The research instrumentation available on the Citation for the second Cirrus IFO is described below. For more information about the UND Citation see http://cumulus.atmos.und.edu/ Cloud microphysical measurements were derived from data taken by the University of North Dakota Citation aircraft PMS 2D-C and 2D-P probes during the FIRE Cirrus IFO - II. Following are a list of parameters collected: VARIABLE DESCRIPTION UNITS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT1,IT2 MEASUREMENT TIME INTERVAL HH/MM/SS PS STATIC PRESSURE mb TEMP AMBIENT TEMPERATURES degrees C ALT PRESSURE ALTITUDE m USTAR VERTICAL VELOCITY NEEDED TO KEEP THE cm/s RELATIVE HUMIDITY CONSTANT DBARM MEDIAN PARTICLE MASS WEIGHTED DIAMETER cm DMAX MAXIMUM PARTICLE DIAMETER cm W1 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 1 g/sec W2 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 2 g/sec W3 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 3 g/sec W4 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 4 g/sec WTOT TOTAL DIFFUSTIONAL GROWTH RATE g/sec DT8 DEPLETION TIME (8 micron droplets) sec DT12 DEPLETION TIME (12 micron droplets) sec TMASS1 IWC IN CHANNEL 1 g/m^3 TMASS2 IWC IN CHANNEL 2 g/m^3 DPTC DEW POINT TEMPERATURE (EG&G) degreesC RH RELATIVE HUMIDITY (EG&G) % RIWC ICE WATER CONTENT g/m^3 XM1 ICE WATER CONTENT BASED ON SNOW HABIT g/m^3 XM2 ICE WATER CONTENT BASED ON SMALL SNOW g/m^3 HABIT XM3 ICE WATER CONTENT BASED ON LARGE SNOW g/m^3 HABIT R PRECIPITATION RATE mm/hr DBZ RADAR REFLECTIVITY FACTOR decibels VBAR MEAN REFLECTIVITY WEIGHTED WITH THE cm/s TERMINAL VELOCITY TTCONC TOTAL PARTICLE CONCENTRATION #/L CBIN1 PARTICLE CONCENTRATION WITHIN THE RANGE LE 200 #/L CBIN2 PARTICLE CONCENTRATION WITHIN 200-500 #/L THE RANGE CBIN3 PARTICLE CONCENTRATION WITHIN THE 500-800 #/L RANGE CBIN4 PARTICLE CONCENTRATION WITHIN THE #/L RANGE GT 800 CE8 COLLECTION EFFICIENCY (8 micron none droplets) CE12 COLLECTION EFFICIENCY (12 micron none droplets) TMASS3 IWC IN CHANNEL 3 g/m^3 TMASS4 IWC IN CHANNEL 4 g/m^3 TIMP # OF CRYSTAL-CRYSTAL COLUMNS sec^(1-) RHORH WATER VAPOR DENSITY g/cm^3 SI SUPERSATURA

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.Cirrus IFO-I was conducted from October 13 to November 2, 1986 in central Wisconsin. The NCAR Sabreliner aircraft measured radiation and microphysical properties of the cloud layers, in addition to temperature, moisture, and air motions.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to seek the basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data. To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1 - June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems. Cirrus IFO-II was conducted from November 9 to December 8, 1991 in Coffeyville, Kansas. The NCAR King Air aircraft measured radiation and microphysical properties of the cloud layers, in addition to temperature, moisture, and air motions.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.The University of North Dakota owns and operates a Cessna Citation II aircraft (N77ND) for the purpose of atmospheric research. This aircraft type has a number of design and performance characteristics which make it an ideal platform for a wide range of atmospheric studies. A series of structural modifications have been made to the basic airplane. These include the following: pylons under the wing tips for a variety of probes in the undisturbed air flow away from the fuselage; a nose boom for wind measurement; a heated radome to prevent ice accumulation on the nose area; special mounts for upward and downward looking radiometers; side-facing camera mounts for time-lapse cameras; optically-flat glass windows for photography; and an air inlet port for air sampling inside the pressurized cabin. The research instrumentation available on the Citation for the second Cirrus IFO is described below.For more information about the UND Citation see http://cumulus.atmos.und.edu/The data contained in the following file is 24 hertz data from the UND Citation II Weather Research Aircraft. Each record has 24 values of sixteen variables.The data order is:Number Variable Units24 values Date yymmdd24 values Time seconds from midnight24 values Pitotpressure, Nose millibars24 values Pitotpressure, Wing millibars24 values Vertical acceleration meters/second/second24 values Vertical wind meters/second24 values Static pressure millibars24 values Air temperature, Rosemount Celcius24 values True heading degrees24 values Wind direction degrees24 values Wind velocity meters/second24 values Angle of attack degrees24 values Angle of sideslip degrees24 values Replicator film speed24 values Replicator frame count24 values Replicator event mark

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems. Cirrus IFO-I was conducted from October 13 to November 2, 1986 in central Wisconsin. The NCAR King Air aircraft measured radiation andmicrophysical properties of the cloud layers, in addition to temperature, moisture, and air motions.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems. The University of North Dakota owns and operates a Cessna Citation II aircraft (N77ND) for the purpose of atmospheric research. This aircraft type has a number of design and performance characteristics which make it an ideal platform for a wide range of atmospheric studies. A series of structural modifications have been made to the basic airplane. These include the following: pylons under the wing tips for a variety of probes in the undisturbed air flow away from the fuselage; a nose boom for wind measurement; a heated radome to prevent ice accumulation on the nose area; special mounts for upward and downward looking radiometers; side-facing camera mounts for time-lapse cameras; optically-flat glass windows for photography; and an air inlet port for air sampling inside the pressurized cabin. The research instrumentation available on the Citation for the second Cirrus IFO is described below.The basic instrumentation package measured temperature, dew point temperature, pressure, wind and cloud microphysical characteristic along with aircraft position, altitude and performance parameters. The three-dimensional wind field is derived from measurements of acceleration, pitch, roll and yaw combined with angles of attack and sideslip and indicated airspeed. The aircraft parameters were supplied by an LTN-76 inertial navigation system and a Global Positioning System (GPS). Turbulence intensity can be derived from differential pressure transducers and INS accelerometer outputs. Cloud microphysical measurements were made with an array of Particle Measuring Systems probes (FSSP, 1D-C,2D-C,1D-P) mounted on the wing-tip pylons. These probes measure concentrations and sizes of particles from one micrometer to several millimeters in diameter. In addition there were probes to measure both liquid water content and icing rate. Several gas and aerosol sampling instruments were available. These include fast response O3 and NO2 monitors, and a condensation nuclei counter. A forward or side-looking video camera was also used to provide a visual record of flight conditions. The data were sampled at various rate from 1 to 24 sec-1. The sampling is controlled by the on-board computer system which also displayed the data in real time in graphic and alphanumeric formats while recording them on magnetic tape.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to seek the basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data. To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1 - June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems. The microphysical parameters in the data set were derived from 2D probe data collected by the NCAR aircraft during FIRE II. The 2D-C data are converted to size spectra according to the guidelines given in Heymsfield and Baumgardner (1985, Bull. Amer. Meteoro. Soc.), where one element is added to the size of a particle along the the flight direction to account for the probe's intrinsic start-up time. Size is determined as the maximum dimension ($D_{max}$) along the flight direction or optical array axis. The nominal size resolution for the Sabreliner 2D probe is 50 microns/per shadowed optical array element, for the King Air is 25 microns/bin. Sample area (SA) is derived using the depth of field estimates reported by Knollenberg (1970). Particles are binned into 32 size categories, nonuniformly spaced with higher resolution in the smaller classes. Particles within each size bin are subdivided into 10 ``area ratio (AR)'' bins, where AR represents the ratio of particle area to the area of discs of diameter $D_{max}$. The microphysical parameters in the data set were derived from 2D probe data collected by the NCAR Sabreliner during FIRE II. The derivation of the microphysical parameters is outlined in the later reference to Heymsfield (1977). The vertical velocity is the steady-state velocity in cm s-1 to keep the relative humidity at it's currently measured value. Differential growth rate represents the growth rate of the particle population of different sizes at the current relative humidity. The Total differential growth rate is the sum of the growth rate in all channels. The assumptions used for the IWC calculations are reported in Heymsfield; also, generic size to mass equations are used. Precipitation rate is calculated from particle size and terminal velocity data, integrated over the size spectrum. Concentration data are as derived above. Number of crystal-crystal collisions are derived from the data reported by Hindman and the crystal terminal velocities. Water vapor density andsupersaturation information in this data set should not be used--it is unreliable. Curve fits to the data using least squares methods are provided. VARIABLE DESCRIPTION UNITS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT1, ITMEASUREMENT TIME INTERVAL HH/MM/SS PS STATIC PRESSURE mb TEMP AMBIENT TEMPERATURE degreesC ALT PRESSURE ALTITUDE m USTAR VERTICAL VELOCITY NEEDED TO KEEP THE cm/s RELATIVE HUMIDITY CONSTANT DBARM MEDIAN PARTICLE MASS WEIGHTED DIAMETER cm DMAX MAXIMUM PARTICLE DIAMETER cm W1 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 1 g/sec W2 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 2 g/sec W3 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 3 g/sec W4 DIFFUSIONAL GROWTH RATE IN CHANNEL 4 g/sec WTOT TOTAL DIFFUSTIONAL GROWTH RATE g/sec DT8 DEPLETION TIME (8 micron droplets) sec DT12 DEPLETION TIME (12 micron droplets) sec TM

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to seek the basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data. To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1 - June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.Data were collected from the NCAR Electra aircraft during the FIRE Marine Stratocumulus experiment in July 1987. The data were produced by the NCAR Research Aviation Facility (RAF) Data Management Group, with the GENPRO-II data processing software. The format of these data include a header file and a data file which corresponds to all or part of a particular aircraft flight.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to seek the basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data. To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1 - June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.The FIRE_CI2_NWS_IN_SND data set was collected for the period Nov. 13, 1991 to Dec. 7, 1991. Each granule has multiple ASCII data files. Data were collected from 17 different National Weather Service (NWS) sites. These sites are: (ABQ) Albuquerque, NM; (AMA) Amarillo, TX; (DDC) Dodge City, KS; (DEN) Denver, CO; (DRT) Del Rio, TX; (ELP) El Paso, TX; (GGG) Longview, TX; (LBF) North Platte, NE; (LIT) North Little Rock, AR; (MAF) Midland, TX; (OMA) Omaha, NE; (OUN) Norman, OK; (PAH) Paducah, KY; (PIA) Peoria, IL; (SEP) Stephenville, TX; (TOP)Topeka, KS; and (UMN) Monett, MO.

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13-November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29-July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13-December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (June 1-June 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.The Colorado State University (CSU) wind profiler data set was produced by the Department of Atmospheric Sciences of CSU as part of the FIRE Phase II Cirrus Intensive Field Observations (IFO) conducted in Coffeyville, Kansas. The CSU wind profiler data were collected during the period from Nov. 12, 1991 to Dec. 7, 1991 at the Parsons KG&E Power Plant, Parsons, Kansas (37 deg. 18 min. N and 95 deg. 07 min. W).