Observational data set in support of falling snow retrieval algorithm development

The Canadian CloudSat/CALIPSO Validation Program (C3VP) was a field campaign held during the winter of 2006-2007. The C3VP provided an opportunity for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission team to participate in cold-season northern latitude data collection activities in advance of GPM´s launch. The GPM team collaborated by providing instrumentation and scientists in order to advance the development of falling snow detection and snow rate retrieval algorithms. This paper will describe the field campaign, present some observations, and provide early analysis from the resulting measurements.