First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Marine Stratocumulus Microwave Radiometer Data

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.Microwave radiometer with steerable antenna was used for the measurement of column amounts of liquid water in clouds, and precipitable water vapor in the atmosphere. Antenna was directed to the zenith during FIRE I.Operating frequencies: 20.6, 31.65, 90.0 GHzSpatial resolution: 2.5 deg antenna beamwidth (44m @ 1.0 km range)Temporal resolution: 60 secEstimated accuracies Liquid water: +/- 10 percent or better (absolute) Noise level +/- .025 mm Water vapor: 0.08 cm rms relative to radiosonde (Vapor and liquid data retrievals were from 20.6 and 31.65 GHz data only)Radiometer location: San Nicolas Island, northwestern tip 33.27N, 119.58W