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MODIS Collection 6 shortwave-derived cloud phase classification algorithm and comparisons with CALIOP

Authors :
B. Marchant
S. Platnick
K. Meyer
G. T. Arnold
J. Riedi
Source :
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 9, Iss 4, Pp 1587-1599 (2016)
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
Copernicus Publications, 2016.

Abstract

Cloud thermodynamic phase (ice, liquid, undetermined) classification is an important first step for cloud retrievals from passive sensors such as MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer). Because ice and liquid phase clouds have very different scattering and absorbing properties, an incorrect cloud phase decision can lead to substantial errors in the cloud optical and microphysical property products such as cloud optical thickness or effective particle radius. Furthermore, it is well established that ice and liquid clouds have different impacts on the Earth's energy budget and hydrological cycle, thus accurately monitoring the spatial and temporal distribution of these clouds is of continued importance. For MODIS Collection 6 (C6), the shortwave-derived cloud thermodynamic phase algorithm used by the optical and microphysical property retrievals has been completely rewritten to improve the phase discrimination skill for a variety of cloudy scenes (e.g., thin/thick clouds, over ocean/land/desert/snow/ice surface, etc). To evaluate the performance of the C6 cloud phase algorithm, extensive granule-level and global comparisons have been conducted against the heritage C5 algorithm and CALIOP. A wholesale improvement is seen for C6 compared to C5.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
18671381 and 18678548
Volume :
9
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3d88b6b0cf6147cf9bbbc4aa9a7c368a
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1587-2016