GRIP HURRICANE IMAGING RADIOMETER (HIRAD) V1

The GRIP Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRAD) V1 dataset contains measurements of brightness temperature taken at 4, 5, 6 and 6.6 GHz, as well as MERRA 2 m wind speed data and JPL MUR Sea Surface Temperature data. The data is provided in netCDF format. The data were collected during the Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) experiment from September 1, 2010 through September 16, 2010 for storms EARL and KARL. Rain rate and wind speed files may be obtained from the V0 HIRAD dataset. The major goal was to better understandhow tropical storms form and develop into major hurricanes. NASA used the DC-8 aircraft, the WB-57 aircraft and the Global Hawk Unmanned AirborneSystem (UAS), configuredwith a suite of in situ and remote sensing instruments that were used to observe and characterize the lifecycle of hurricanes.HIRAD is a hurricane imaging, single-polarization passive C-band radiometer with both cross-track and along-track resolution that measures strong ocean surface winds through heavy rain from an aircraft or space-based platform. Its swath width is approximately 60 degrees in either direction.