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GPM GROUND VALIDATION NASA MICRO RAIN RADAR (MRR) GCPEX V2

The GPM Ground Validation NASA Micro Rain Radar (MRR) GCPEx dataset was collected by a Micro Rain Radar (MRR), which is a vertically pointing Doppler radar which provides measurements of vertical velocity, drop size distribution, rainfall rate, attenuation, liquid water content, and reflectivity factor obtained during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx), which took place in Canada during Winter 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 MRR is a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) vertically pointing Doppler radar, which operates at 24.24GHz, and it is the second generation of the instrument manufactured by METEK (http://metek.de/product/mrr-2/). NASA MRR data was collected from late October 2011 through March 2013. Version 2 of the dataset became active on 13-May-2015.

GPM Ground Validation KLGX NEXRAD OLYMPEX V1

The GPM Ground Validation KLGX NEXRAD OLYMPEX dataset contains data from selected NEXt Generation Weather RADar system (NEXRAD) instruments in operation during the Olympic Mountains Experiment (OLYMPEX) field campaign to help support the ground validation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). NEXRAD is a network of 160 stationary S-Band radars dispersed throughout the United States and select locations abroad. Datasets gathered from three NEXRAD stations, as listed below, extend from 22 September 2015 through 01 May 2016 as part of the GPM Ground Validation OLYMPEX data. This dataset contain browse images of base reflectivity observations in the Portable Network Graphic (PNG) format. Base radar reflectivity is the measure of transmitted power returned to the radar after intercepting a target, for example, rain droplets. This information can illustrate the amount and size distribution of water particles in a given unit volume of atmosphere.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION CAMPAIGN REPORTS IPHEx V1

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Ground Validation Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) campaign was centered in the Southern Appalachians and spanned into the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of North Carolina. The campaign sought to characterize warm season orographic precipitation regimes, and the relationship between precipitation regimes and hydrologic processes in regions of complex terrain. The GPM Ground Validation Mission Reports IPHEx dataset contains reports from the intense campaign period which occurred during May 1, 2014 to June 13, 2014. This dataset consists of various reports filed by the scientists during the campaign. This dataset includes flight reports, weather forecasts, GPM flight forecasts, instrument reports, mission science reports, and plan-of-day reports. Many reports have additional information included as attachments.

GPM Ground Validation NASA S-Band Dual Polarimetric (NPOL) Doppler Radar IPHEx V1

The GPM Ground Validation NASA S-Band Dual Polarimetric (NPOL) Doppler Radar IPHEx dataset was collected during the GPM Ground Validation Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) field campaign conducted in South Carolina from April 27, 2014 through June 16, 2014. The NPOL Doppler Radar scanned in high-resolution Plan Position Indicator (PPI), Range-Height Indicator (RHI), and PPI Sector (PPS) scan modes and provided measurements of precipitation in liquid, mixed, and ice phases. Data files are available in tarred universal format (UF) files, and browse images are available in compressed PNG files.

GPM Ground Validation Dual-frequency Dual-polarized Doppler Radar (D3R) ICE POP

The GPM Ground Validation Dual-frequency Dual-polarized Doppler Radar (D3R) ICE POP dataset includes reflectivity, differential reflectivity, copolar correlation coefficient, differential propagation phase, radial velocity, and spectrum width data collected by the Dual-frequency Dual-polarized Doppler Radar (D3R) during the International Collaborative Experiments for Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (ICE-POP) field campaign in South Korea. The two major objectives of ICE-POP were to study severe winter weather events in regions of complex terrain and improve the short-term forecasting of such events. These data contributed to Global Precipitation Measurement mission Ground Validation (GPM GV) campaign efforts to improve satellite estimates of orographic winter precipitation. The D3R was developed by a government-industry-academic consortium with funding from NASA's GPM Project. It operates at the ku (13.91 GHz ± 25 MHz) and ka (35.56 GHz ± 25 MHz) frequencies covering a fixed range from 450 m to 39.75 km. The D3R dataset files are available from November 1, 2017 through March 17, 2018 in netCDF-4 format.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION VAISALA CEILOMETER IPHEx V1

The GPM Ground Validation Vaisala Ceilometer IPHEx dataset consists of vertical profiles of attenuated backscatter and cloud base and boundary layer height data gathered during the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) Ground Validation Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) in North Carolina. The goal of IPHEx was to evaluate the accuracy of satellite precipitation measurements and use the collected data for hydrology models in the region during an intense study period from May 1 through June 15, 2014. This dataset includes data from the Vaisala Ceilometer CL51 which is part of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Aerosol-Cloud-Humidity Interactions Exploring and Validating Enterprise (ACHIEVE) ground-based mobile laboratory. It measures vertical profiles of aerosol backscatter and performs a retrieval of cloud base detection and boundary layer structure. The data files are available from May 6 through June 16, 2014 in netCDF-3 format.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION TWO-DIMENSIONAL VIDEO DISDROMETER (2DVD) GCPEX V1

The GPM Ground Validation Two-Dimensional Video Disdrometer (2DVD) GCPEX dataset was collected by the Two-Dimensional Video Disdrometer (2DVD) data, which was collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) held in Ontario, Canada. 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.Collected from six sites, the data contains daily ascii files with information on individual snowflakes and hydrometeors, and binary files preprocessed from raw camera data. Overall data dates range from 27 October 2011 through 27 February 2012 depending on the specific site.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION WYOMING KING AIR CLOUD MICROPHYSICS LPVEX V1

The GPM Ground Validation Wyoming King Air Cloud Microphysics LPVEx dataset includes, in addition to aircraft parameters, many scientific parameters, such as static pressure, dew point temperature, relative humidity, mixing ratio, liquid water content, and droplet concentration. These data were collected as part of the Light Precipitation Evaluation Experiment (LPVEx) from September 11, 2010 to October 20, 2010 in the Gulf of Finland. The dataset was collected to aid in achieving the overarching goals of LPVEx, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of precipitation algorithms for current and future satellite platforms and to detect and understand the process of light rainfall formation at high latitudes. It should be noted that multiple instruments were carried aboard the University of Wyoming King Air (UWKA) including the Cloud Microphysics instrument and the Wyoming Cloud Radar (WCR) instrument. Data files are in netCDF-3 format.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION NOAA S-BAND PROFILER MINUTE DATA MC3E V1

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.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION GOES 13 VISIBLE AND INFRARED IMAGES GCPEX V1

The GPM Ground Validation GOES 13 Visible and Infrared Images GCPEx dataset was produced and archived in near real time at the Global Hydrology Resource Center throughout the GPM Cold-Season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx). These image files were created for use with the Real Time Mission Monitor (RTMM). Generally, GOES-13 images are available for all dates between January 1, 2012 and March 13, 2012 at 15 minute intervals. The GPM Ground Validation GOES-13 Visible and Infrared Images dataset files are available in PNG format and contain images over the MC3E campaign area.

VIIRS/NPP BRDF/Albedo Valid Observation DNB Daily L3 Global 30ArcSec CMG V002

The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo Valid Observation Day/Night Band (DNB) product (VNP43D51) is produced daily using 16 days of data at 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. Data are temporally weighted to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43D product suite is provided in a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG), which covers the entire globe for use in climate simulation models. Due to the large file size, each VNP43D product contains just one data layer for each of the parameters included in the [VNP43MA2](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VNP43MA2.002) product. VNP43D40 through VNP43D53 are the 30 arc second BRDF/Albedo Quality values, the Local Solar Noon values, the Valid Observations of the moderate resolution bands (M1 through M5, M7, M8, M10, and M11) plus the Day/Night Band (DNB), the Snow Status, and the Uncertainty. Details regarding methodology are available on the [VNP43MA2](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VNP43MA2.002) product page and in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).VNP43D51 contains the valid observation quality layer representing each of the 16 days of the retrieval period for VIIRS DNB.Known Issues* For complete information about known issues please refer to the [MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/knownissue).Improvements/Changes from Previous Version* Improved calibration algorithm and better coefficients for entire Suomi NPP mission.* Improved geolocation accuracy and updates to fix outliers around maneuver periods and other events.* Corrections to the aerosol quantity flag (low, average, high) mainly over brighter surfaces in the mid to high latitudes such as desert and tropical vegetation areas. This has an impact on the retrieval of other downstream data products such as VNP13 Vegetation Indices and VNP43 BRDF/Albedo.* Improved cloud mask input product for corrections along coastlines and artifacts from use of coarse resolution climatology data.* Replaced the land/water mask input product with MODIS heritage seven class land/water mask.

GPM Ground Validation NEXRAD Level III KMPX IFloodS

The GPM Ground Validation NEXRAD Level III KMPX IFloodS dataset contain precipitation products derived from selected NEXt Generation Weather RADar system (NEXRAD) radars in operation during the Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) field campaign to help support the ground validation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). NEXRAD is a network of 160 stationary S-Band radars dispersed throughout the United States and select locations abroad. Data were gathered from four NEXRAD stations in the vicinity of the IFloodS campaign during March 29, 2013 through June 18, 2013. This dataset contains data files of digital instantaneous precipitation rate (DPR) and storm total accumulation estimates (DTA) in NIDS binary format.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION GOES 13 VISIBLE AND INFRARED IMAGES MC3E V1

The GPM Ground Validation GOES 13 Visible and Infrared Images MC3E dataset was produced and archived in near real time at the Global Hydrology Research Center throughout the GPM Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). These image files were created for use with the Real Time Mission Monitor (RTMM). Generally, GOES-13 images are available for all dates between May 6, 2011 and June 30, 2011 at 15 minute intervals. The GPM Ground Validation GOES-13 Visible and Infrared Images dataset files are available in PNG format and contain images over the MC3E campaign area.

Global Food Security-support Analysis Data (GFSAD) Cropland Extent-Product 2015 Validation 30 m V001

The NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments ([MEaSUREs](https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/competitive-programs/measures)) Global Food Security-support Analysis Data (GFSAD) data product provides cropland extent data of the globe for nominal year 2015 at 30 meter resolution. The monitoring of global cropland extent is critical for policymaking and provides important baseline data that are used in many agricultural cropland studies pertaining to water sustainability and food security. The GFSAD30 Validation (GFSAD30VAL) data product provides a thorough and independent accuracy assessment and validation of the cropland extent products produced for each of the seven regions. The accuracy assessment and validation process utilizes a cluster of 3 by 3 pixels of 30 meter data to resample the product to 90 meter resolution. Each GFSAD30VAL shapefile contains information on sample locations, presence of cropland or no cropland, and the zones that were randomly selected for accuracy assessment across the globe.Known Issues* Known issues, including constraints and limitations, are provided on page 18 of the ATBD.

GPM Ground Validation Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Near-Real Time Rain Rates IFloodS V1

The GPM Ground Validation Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Near-Real Time Rain Rates IFloodS data product was created for the GPM Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) field campaign from April 23, 2013 through June 30, 2013. The IFloodS field campaign was a ground measurement campaign that took place in eastern Iowa. The goals of the campaign were to collect detailed measurements of precipitation at the Earth’s surface using ground instruments and advanced weather radars and to simultaneously collect data from satellites passing overhead. This NRL real time rain rates data product was produced using the Probability Matching Method with rain gauge, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F15 Special Sensor Microwave - Imager (SSM/I), and DMSP F16 Special Sensor Microwave - Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) data. This data product includes rain rate estimates and files are available in netCDF-4 and binary formats, as well as corresponding browse imagery in JPG format.

TRMM Ground Validation Radar Site Rain Type Totals Map L3 1 month 2 km V7 (TRMM_3A54UW) at GES DISC

This dataset is part of the University of Washington TRMM Ground Validation products. Monthly rain accumulation cartesian grid based on 2A53UW. Units are mm. Min range is 17 km, max range is 150 km. Horizontal extent is 150x150km and resolution is 2km. Note that in the netCDF files, "alt" (altitude) is assigned the elevation angle of the lowest sweep (which is used to create baseUW) and "z_spacing" has no meaning. A key component of the TRMM project is the Ground Validation (GV) effort which consists of collecting data from ground-based radar, rain gauges and disdrometers. The data is quality-controlled, and then validation products are produced for comparison with TRMM satellite products. The four primary GV sites are: + Darwin, Australia; + Houston, Texas; + Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands; + Melbourne, Florida. A significant effort is also being supported at NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) and vicinity to provide high quality, long-term measurements of rain rates (via a network of rain gauges collocated with National Weather Service gauges), as well as drop size distributions (DSD) using a variety of instruments, including impact-type Joss Waldvogel, laser-optical Parsivel, as well as two-dimensional video disdrometers. DSD measurements are also being collected at Melbourne and Kwajalein using Joss-Waldvogel disdrometers.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION NCAR CLOUD MICROPHYSICS PARTICLE PROBES GCPEX V1

The GPM Ground Validation NCAR Cloud Microphysics Particle Probes GCPEx data was collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx), which occurred in Ontario, Canada during the winter season of 2011 through 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 NCAR Cloud Microphysics Particle Probes GCPEx 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 January 16, 2012 through February 25, 2012. A related cloud microphysics dataset, GPM Ground Validation UND Citation Cloud Microphysics GCPEx is also available.

GPM Ground Validation Micro Rain Radar (MRR) ICE POP V1

The GPM Ground Validation Micro Rain Radar (MRR) ICE POP dataset was collected during the International Collaborative Experiments for Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (ICE-POP) field campaign in South Korea. The two major objectives of ICE-POP were to study severe winter weather events in regions of complex terrain and improve the short-term forecasting of such events. These data contributed to Global Precipitation Measurement mission Ground Validation (GPM GV) campaign efforts to improve satellite estimates of orographic winter precipitation. This dataset consists of precipitation data collected by two MRR instruments from November 1, 2017 to March 1, 2018. These data are available in netCDF-3 and ASCII text formats.

GPM GROUND VALIDATION NASA S-BAND DUAL POLARIMETRIC (NPOL) DOPPLER RADAR MC3E V1

The GPM Ground Validation NASA S-band Dual Polarimetric (NPOL) Doppler Radar MC3E dataset was collected by the NASA NPOL radar, which was developed by a research team from Wallops Flight Facility, is a fully transportable and self-contained S-band (10 cm), scanning dual-polarimetric, doppler research radar that collected data nearly continuously during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) field campaign. 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. NPOL scanned in high resolution Range Height Indicator (RHI) mode (every 40 sec) and provided measurements of precipitation in liquid, mixed and ice phase. The scanning strategy emphasized vertical structure sampling via RHI and narrow sector-volume data collections. Additional files were processed from the UF files using the Colorado State University (CSU) Hydrometeor Identification Algorithm (HID) providing classification of hydrometeors (e.g. rain, drizzle, hail, ice crystals, wet or dry snow, graupel density). Data was collected from April 11, 2011 through June 3, 2011.

VIIRS/NPP BRDF/Albedo Valid Observation Band M2 Daily L3 Global 30ArcSec CMG V001

The VNP43D43 Version 1 data product was decommissioned on July 31, 2025. Users are encouraged to use the [VNP43D43](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VNP43D43.002) and [VJ143D43](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VJ143D43.002) Version 2 data products.The NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Albedo Valid Observation Band M2 product (VNP43D43) is produced daily using 16 days of data at 30 arc second (1,000 meter) resolution. Data are temporally weighted to the ninth day, which is reflected in the file name. The VNP43D product suite is provided in a Climate Modeling Grid (CMG), which covers the entire globe for use in climate simulation models. Due to the large file size, each VNP43D product contains just one data layer for each of the parameters included in the [VNP43MA2](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VNP43MA2.001) product. VNP43D40 through VNP43D53 are the 30 arc second BRDF/Albedo Quality values, the Local Solar Noon values, the Valid Observations of the moderate resolution bands (M1 through M5, M7, M8, M10, and M11) plus the Day/Night Band (DNB), the Snow Status, and the Uncertainty. Details regarding methodology are available on the [VNP43MA2](https://doi.org/10.5067/VIIRS/VNP43MA2.001) product page and in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD). VNP43D43 contains the valid observation quality layer representing each of the 16 days of the retrieval period for VIIRS band M2.Known Issues* The abnormally high activation of the high aerosol flag in the Collection 1 (C1) VNP09 product has impacted downstream products. The VNP43 BRDF/Albedo/NBAR product is affected by reducing the number of otherwise acceptable observations used as input to characterize surface anisotropy. This effect (most obvious over arid bright surfaces), results in a reduced number of high quality full BRDF model inversions. Therefore, users should be aware that bright arid surfaces (normally associated with high quality BRDF/Albedo/NBAR retrievals) are likely to be somewhat represented by lower quality results in C1. VNP09 has been corrected for Collection 2 (C2). Therefore, users should avoid substantive use of C1 VNP43 over arid regions (and wait for C2 products). In any event, users are **always strongly encouraged** to download and use the extensive QA data provided in VNP43[I-M]A2, in addition to the briefer mandatory QA provided as part of the VNP43[I-M]A1, 3 and 4 products.* For complete information about known issues please refer to the [MODIS/VIIRS Land Quality Assessment website](https://landweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/knownissue?sensor=VIIRS).