Dizzy the Disdrometer: Illustrating Field Campaign Data using an ESRI Story Map

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Ground Validation (GV) program provided ground and airborne precipitation datasets in support of the physical validation of satellite-based precipitation retrieval algorithms. One instrument used predominantly in all GPM GV field campaigns was the disdrometer, an instrument specifically designed to measure rain, snow, sleet, hail, and other precipitation. The NASA Global Hydrology Resource Center (GHRC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) recently created the story of Dizzy the Disdrometer using ESRI Story Map tools. The ESRI Story Map is a tool that provides an interactive user experience of narrative text, maps, images, and multimedia content. The Dizzy story map is an approachable, broad-audience way to educate users about the variety of NASA GPM GV field campaigns. By working with a graphic designer for the character of Dizzy, DAAC scientists developed story content, information about each GPM GV field campaign, and measurement examples. In this presentation, we will demonstrate the Dizzy ESRI Story Map, summarize the contents and provide usage metrics used to assess impact since publication in Summer 2018. This combination of art and science has provided a means for general users without technical background to explore what can often be complex scientific data and concepts.