The GPM Ground Validation NOAA Parsivel MC3E dataset was collected in central Oklahoma during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) from April 5, 2011 through June 6, 2011. The NOAA Parsivel dataset includes processed data consisting of either moment data (e.g., reflectivity and rain rate estimates) or raindrop number concentration estimates; the data provided a reference reflectivity to calibrate the S-band profiler during the experiment. The moment data includes 1-minute resolution estimates of rain rate, reflectivity, and other parameters related to the health of the Parsivel instrument. The raindrop number concentration data are also at 1-minute resolution and are the result of converting the observed raindrop passing the sensor into the number of raindrops expected in a unit volume per diameter interval. Both the moment data and the number concentration data were saved in daily files in ASCII format. Daily images were also generated from the Parsivel observations and contain the 1-minute reflectivity, rain rate, and number concentration N(D); browse images are saved in TIF format.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA Surface Meteorological Station MC3E dataset was collected at the NOAA Southern Great Plains Facility for the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) and includes measurements of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity and precipitation. 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. The instruments gathering this data were respectively a propeller wind monitor located 10 meters above the ground, a temperature and humidity sensor at the ground, and a tipping rain gauge at the ground. These data were collected from April 5, 2011 to June 7, 2011.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA UHF 449 Profiler MC3E dataset was collected during the NASA supported Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). 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. The Ultra High Frequency 449 MHz profiler was one of three NOAA deployed instruments which also included a Parsivel and a 2.8 GHz profiler (S-Band). The 449 MHz profiler raw data files provide estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. Used together with the S-band profiler, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The raw 449MGx profiler data consists of uncalibrated Doppler velocity spectra data in units of relative power return.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA S-Band Profiler Minute Data MC3E dataset was gathered during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) in Oklahoma from April-June 2011. 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. The S-band 2.8 GHz profiler measured the backscattered power from raindrops and ice particles as precipitating cloud systems pass overhead. After calibration, the instrument provided an unattenuated reflectivity estimate through the precipitation. Spectra and moment files are included in netCDF format.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA UHF 449 Profiler MC3E dataset was collected during the NASA supported Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). 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. The Ultra High Frequency 449 MHz profiler was one of three NOAA deployed instruments which also included a Parsivel and a 2.8 GHz profiler (S-Band). The 449 MHz profiler raw data files provide estimates of the vertical air motion during precipitation from near the surface to just below the freezing level. Used together with the S-band profiler, vertical profiles of raindrop size distributions can be retrieved. The raw 449MGx profiler data consists of uncalibrated Doppler velocity spectra data in units of relative power return.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA S-Band Profiler Raw Data NetCDF Format MC3E dataset was gathered during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) in Oklahoma April 8, 2011 to June 7, 2011 and consists of uncalibrated Doppler velocity spectra data in units of relative power return. 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. The S-band 2.8 GHz profiler points vertically and measures the backscattered power from raindrops and ice particles as precipitating cloud systems pass overhead. The profiler processes radar pulses during a 7-second dwell before calculating and saving uncalibrated Doppler velocity spectra at each range gate that were separated by 60-meters vertically. Data collected during each hour are saved in two files. All precipitation mode profiles are saved in one hourly data file and all attenuated mode profiles are saved in another hourly data file. Calibrated data can be obtained from the S-band Original Dwell and Minute datasets.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA S-Band Profiler Original Dwell Data MC3E dataset was gathered during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) in Oklahoma from April 16, 2011 to June 7, 2011. 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. The S-band profiler operated at 2.8 GHz, pointed vertically, and measured the backscattered power from raindrops and ice particles as precipitating cloud systems passed overhead. The S-band operated in two modes: precipitation mode and attenuated mode. The precipitation mode was the normal or full-power mode, and the attenuated mode was the low-power mode. The profiler alternated between modes collecting either 7 or 9 consecutive precipitation mode profiles separated by 1 attenuated mode profile. Both modes processed radar pulses collected during a 7-second dwell before calculating the Doppler velocity spectra at each radar range gate that were separated by 60-meters in the vertical. The attenuated and precipitation mode data are available in moment, pop spectra (uncalibrated raw spectra) and calibrated spectra hourly files. The S-band spectra were calibrated against the surface disdrometer to determine a radar calibration constant. Calibrated spectra were constructed for each profile and are expressed as reflectivity spectral density. After calibration, the instrument provides a reflectivity estimate through the precipitation. Data is in hourly files in the netCDF format.

The GPM Ground Validation NOAA Parsivel MC3E dataset was collected in central Oklahoma during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) from April 5, 2011 through June 6, 2011. The NOAA Parsivel dataset includes processed data consisting of either moment data (e.g., reflectivity and rain rate estimates) or raindrop number concentration estimates; the data provided a reference reflectivity to calibrate the S-band profiler during the experiment. The moment data includes 1-minute resolution estimates of rain rate, reflectivity, and other parameters related to the health of the Parsivel instrument. The raindrop number concentration data are also at 1-minute resolution and are the result of converting the observed raindrop passing the sensor into the number of raindrops expected in a unit volume per diameter interval. Both the moment data and the number concentration data were saved in daily files in ASCII format. Daily images were also generated from the Parsivel observations and contain the 1-minute reflectivity, rain rate, and number concentration N(D); browse images are saved in TIF format.

The GPM Ground Validation NCAR Cloud Microphysics Particle Probes MC3E dataset was collected during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E), which took place in central Oklahoma during the April-June 2011 period. 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 parameterization and space-based rainfall retrieval algorithms over land that had never before been available. The GPM Ground Validation NCAR Cloud Microphysics Particle Probes MC3E dataset was obtained from three instruments carried aboard the University of North Dakota (UND) Cessna Citation aircraft. These probes, the 2D-C, Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) and High Volume Precipitation Spectrometer (HVPS-3), collected particle size distributions and particle images which were processed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Data were collected April 22, 2011 through June 2, 2011.

The GPM Ground Validation Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Images MC3E dataset consists of browse only images showing radar reflectivity, radar echo top, convective available potential energy (CAPE), temperature, geopotential height, wind speed, relative humidity, rain water, snow, cloud water, cloud ice, and graupel. These data were simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) for the period of the GPM Ground Validation Mid-latitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E) field campaign. The overarching goal of the MC3E field campaign was to provide the most complete characterization of convective cloud systems, precipitation, and the environment ever obtained and to provide new constraints for model cumulus parameterizations and space-based rainfall retrieval algorithms over land. Browse imagery files in PNG and GIF formats are available for April 19, 2011 through June 6, 2011.