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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) (Restricted)

NEXRAD QPE CDR

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NOAA NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) Climate Data Record (CDR) is created from the Radar Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) Reanalysis to produce severe weather and precipitation products for improved decision-making capability to improve severe weather forecasts and warnings, hydrology, aviation, and numerical weather prediction. The data cover a time period from 2002-01-01 to 2011-12-31.
NOAA's NEXRAD reanalysis consists of two primary components; (1) Severe weather and radar-reflectivity data generation, (2) Quantitative Precipitation Estimate (including associated precipitation variables and merged rain gauge and radar estimation). This document focuses on the second component of NOAA's NEXRAD reanalysis - the Quantitative Precipitation Estimate (QPE).
The primary files generated within this data set are radar-only and radar- gauge (ROQPE, GCQPE, and MOS2D) merged precipitation products as well as ancillary information on precipitation type (PRATE and PFLAG) and radar quality (RQIND). The initial data set covers the time period from January 2002 - December 2011. Radar-only reflectivity, Gauge, Precipitation Flag, and Radar Quality Index for 5-minute data at 1km regular grid over CONUS. Radar only Radar-Gauge Quantitative Precipitation Estimates at hourly scale at 1km regular grid over CONUS. MRMS Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) uses the most advanced radar technologies and provides high-resolution information about precipitation types and amounts for the nation. The data are stored in netCDF version 4.0 files that include the necessary metadata and supplementary data fields. Data set provides information that can be useful for identification of various types of precipitation, estimation of radar reflectivity, recognition of storm patterns, forecasting technologies for rainfall estimation, and associating different phases of precipitation such as hail freezing rain and snow with radar observations.
  • Cite as: Nelson, B.R.; Zhang, Jian; Stevens, S.; Wilkens, Scott; and NOAA CDR Program (2017). NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE), Version 1.0. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V58C9TG0 [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01543
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Other Access
  • NCEI's Customer Service (offlineAccess)
    Customer Service for restricted data, date are only for .mil and .gov accounts.
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF-4
  • PDF
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
NCEI.REDR.Info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2002-01-01 to 2012-12-31 (time interval: 5-minute)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -125.0
East: -66.0
South: 24.0
North: 50.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Publication Dates
  • creation: 2018
Edition Version 1
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose This dataset provides advanced scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) that can be used for numerous two-dimensional multiple-sensor products offer assistance for hail, wind, tornado, quantitative precipitation estimation forecasts, convection, icing, and turbulence diagnosis.
Use Limitations
  • See the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for a description of the use limitations for this dataset.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Nelson, B.R.; Zhang, Jian; Stevens, S.; Wilkens, Scott; and NOAA CDR Program (2017). NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE), Version 1.0. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V58C9TG0 [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Stevens, Scott
    Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS-NC)
  • Zhang, Jian
    DOC/NOAA/OAR/NSSL > National Severe Storms Laboratory, OAR, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Wilkins, Scott
    Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS-NC)
  • Nelson, Brian
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • Nelson, Brian
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • Stevens, Scott
    Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS-NC)
  • Zhang, Jian
    DOC/NOAA/OAR/NSSL > National Severe Storms Laboratory, OAR, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Wilkins, Scott
    Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS-NC)
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/OAR/NSSL > National Severe Storms Laboratory, OAR, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • WEATHER STATIONS/NETWORKS
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • NEXRAD > NEXt Generation RADar
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NEXRAD > NEXt Generation Weather RADar
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Nelson, B.R.; Zhang, Jian; Stevens, S.; Wilkens, Scott; and NOAA CDR Program (2017). NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of NEXRAD Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE), Version 1.0. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V58C9TG0 [access date].
  • See the Use Agreement for this CDR available on the CDR page.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • restricted
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement The data were produced by and are archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • For a description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Data Flow Diagram for this dataset.
Processing Documents
Source Datasets
  • NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 2 Base Data
  • Rapid Update Cycle (RUC)
    • Rapid Update Cycle (RUC)
      Landing page for data.
    • Description of Source: Operational atmospheric prediction system comprised primarily of a numerical forecast model and an analysis system to initialize that model
    • Temporal extent used: 2002-01-01 to 2012-12-31
    • Spatial extent used: N:50.0 S:24.0 E:-66.0 W:-125.0
  • Hydrometeorological Automated Data System (HADS)
    • Description of Source:
    • Temporal extent used: 2002-01-01 to 2012-12-31
    • Spatial extent used: N:50.0 S:24.0 E:-66.0 W:-125.0
  • Community Collaborative Hail, Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
    • Description of Source:
    • Temporal extent used: 2002-01-01 to 2012-12-31
    • Spatial extent used: N:50.0 S:24.0 E:-66.0 W:-125.0
  • U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN)
    • U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN)
      Landing page for data.
    • Description of Source: High-quality instruments to measure temperature, precipitation, wind speed, soil conditions, and more.
    • Temporal extent used: 2002-01-01 to 2012-12-31
    • Spatial extent used: N:50.0 S:24.0 E:-66.0 W:-125.0
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-08-10
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov