ESA Cloud Climate Change Initiative (Cloud_cci): Obs4MIPs format monthly gridded cloud products from AVHRR (AVHRR-PM), version 3

This dataset provides a version of the Cloud_cci AVHRR-PMv3 monthly gridded dataset in Obs4MIPs format. The Cloud_cci AVHRR-PMv3 dataset (covering 1982-2016) was generated within the Cloud_cci project, which was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme (Contract No.: 4000109870/13/I-NB). This dataset is based on intercalibrated measurements from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors on-board the NOAA prime afternoon (PM) satellite NOAA-7,-9,11,-14,-16,-18,-19 satellites. It contains a multi-annual, global dataset of cloud and radiation properties which were derived employing the Community Cloud retrieval for Climate (CC4CL) retrieval framework. This particular Obs4MIPS product has been generated for inclusion in Obs4MIPs (Observations for Model Intercomparisons Project), which is an activity to make observational products more accessible for climate model intercomparisons. Individual files are provided covering seven cloud variables: Cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer (clCCI); Atmospheric cloud ice content (clivi); Cloud area fraction (cltCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer(clwCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction (clwtCCI); Atmosphere mass content of cloud condensed water (clwvi); Air pressure at cloud top (pctCCI)