SEV06-CLD : A MODIS-like SEVIRI cloud products dataset

The SEV06-CLD dataset provides cloud properties derived from the SEVIRI instrument series using algorithms that have been historically developped for the processing of MODIS data. SEV06-CLD uses MODIS-like algorithms for cloud optical and microphysical property retrievals, and a modified GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) algorithm for cloud-top temperature and pressure. Cloud masking is obtained from the Météo France Satellite Application Facility for supporting NoWCasting (SAFNWC) software package. The SEV06-CLD datasets share a common retrieval core with the Collection 6 MODIS Level-2 cloud product (product names MOD06_L2 and MYD06_L2 for MODIS Terra and Aqua, respectively). The core cloud optical property code is equivalent to that used in the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) production version. Optical properties, pixel-level uncertainties and QA assignments are provided in the same exact fashion and via the same code base as the archived MODIS product. Existing user MOD06 optical property visualization and analysis codes are largely expected to work with SEV06-CLD files.