PACE OCI Level-2 Regional Cloud Optical Properties Data, version 3.1

The CLOUD data suite provides per-pixel microphysics and macrophysics to support cloud/climate applications. Typical uses: screening clouds for atmospheric correction, evaluating cloud–radiation interactions, and joint analyses with ocean-color variables (e.g., chlorophyll, Rrs). Core geophysical variables in this suite include: - cloud_fraction — Cloud fraction (unitless; 0–1) - ice_cloud — Ice cloud fraction (unitless; 0–1) - water_cloud — Water cloud fraction (unitless; 0–1) - cer_16 / cer_21 / cer_22 — Cloud particle effective radius (µm) retrieved from two-channel methods using near-IR bands (1.6, 2.1, or 2.2 µm) paired with a non-absorbing band - cot_16 / cot_21 / cot_22 — Cloud optical thickness (unitless) retrieved from two-channel methods using near-IR bands - cwp_16 / cwp_21 / cwp_22 — Cloud water path (g m⁻²) retrieved from two-channel methods using near-IR bands - cth — Cloud top height (m) - ctp — Cloud top pressure (hPa) - ctt — Cloud top temperature (K) - l2_flags — Level-2 Processing Flags (bitmask; see product attributes for definitions)