CSU Atmospheric Science Parsival disdrometer data - ATS roof deployment
Data files
Oct 25, 2025 version files 28.20 MB
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csuats_ott.tar.gz
28.19 MB
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Read_Parsival_Data_CLN.py
6.16 KB
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README.md
2.79 KB
Abstract
This dataset contains the OTT Disdrometer data for the instrument when it was deployed on the roof of the Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science Main building. The instrument was initially installed in June of 2018 and collected data until January 2022, when it was moved for a field project. Between 6/21/2018 and 1/19/2022, there are many missing days due to outages and failures. The raw data are provided here along with python code to read and plot the raw data. The data are binned by fall speed and diameter, and also include precipitation rates, number of particles, and weather codes.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.dz08kpsb9
Description of the data and file structure
File format:
The data are provided in a zipped tar file called csuats_ott.tar.gz
Inside the tar file are CSV (Comma-separated values) files for each day with the filename structure of: YYYYMMDD.CSUATS.MIS
Missing and bad data:
This dataset does not represent a continuous timeseries from installation in Jun 2018 through Jan 2022. At times the disdrometer was offline. During periods when it was offline, there are no data recorded and times and/or entire day files will be missing.
When the disdrometer is collecting data but does not detect any precipitation, the reflectivity (Column 8) is set to -9.999 and the spectrum columns (17 onward) will not be present. If there is precipitation detected, the columns in the spectrum will be empty if there is nothing detected in that bin.
Columns in data:
1: Date (DD.MM.YYYY)
2: Time, local time (HH:MM:SS)
3: Precip. Rate (mm / hr)
4: Accumulated Precip since last reset (mm)
5: WaWa Code
6: METAR Code
7: NWS Weather Code
8: Reflectivity (dBz)
9: Visibility (m)
10: Amplitude of the Laser Signal
11: Total Number of particles
12: Temperature of the Sensor (°C)
13: Heating Current (A)
14: Voltage (V)
15: Kinetic Energy (J/m2/h)
16: Snow Rate (mm / hr)
17: If there is precipitation, a 2D histogram, with a shape of 32x32, representing the number of hydrometeors with an associated diameter and fall speed as listed below:
Diameter (mm) bins (midpoints):
diam = [0.062,0.187,0.312,0.437,0.562,0.687,0.812,0.937,1.062,1.187,
1.375,1.625,1.875,2.125,2.375,2.750,3.250,3.750,4.250,4.750,
5.500,6.500,7.500,8.500,9.500,11.00,13.00,15.00,17.00,19.00,21.50,24.50]
Fall speed (m/s) bins (midpoints):
fall = [0.05,0.15,0.25,0.35,0.45,0.55,0.65,0.75,0.85,0.95,
1.10,1.30,1.50,1.70,1.90,2.20,2.60,3.00,3.40,3.80,
4.40,5.20,6.00,6.80,7.60,8.80,10.4,12.0,13.6,15.2,17.6,20.8]
Additional information:
https://www.ott.com/products/meteorological-sensors-26/ott-parsivel2-laser-weather-sensor-2392/
Code/software
A python reader ("Read_Parsival_Data_CLN.py") is included. This code reads and plots the last record in the file as an example. It uses Python3.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- Data will be available through the DISDRODB https://github.com/ltelab/disdrodb
Data was derived from the following sources:
- N/A
An OTT Parsivel 2 Disdrometer was installed on the roof of the Department of Atmospheric Science (ATS) Main Building at the Foothills Campus of Colorado State University. This disrometer was placed on an unobstructed instrument platform. The position of this location is approximately 40.5879 °N, 105.1476 °W with an altitude of ~1,595 m (5233 ft). The instrument was deployed at this position from 6/21/2018 through to 1/19/2022, after which the instrument was deployed on several field campaigns (PRECIP, BACS). The data is processed through OTT’s ASDO software.