NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Cloud and Clear-Sky Radiation Properties, Version 1.0

The NASA LaRC cloud and clear sky radiation properties dataset is generated using algorithms initially developed for application to TRMM and MODIS imagery within the NASA CERES program. The algorithms have been adapted to operate upon AVHRR, an instrument that has fewer spectral channels than MODIS. This dataset utilizes calibrated AVHRR reflectances from a companion FCDR. Cloud and clear-sky radiation properties are derived globally at the 4 km Global Area Coverage pixel scale during both day and night using this approach. CDR quality variables include: Cloud and clear sky pixel detection (count), Cloud top thermodynamic phase (count), Cloud optical depth (count), Cloud particle effective radius (micrometers), Air pressure at effective cloud top (hPa), Air temperature at effective cloud top (K), and Height at effective cloud top (km). Other Non-CDR Quality Variables include: Air pressure at cloud top (hPa), Air temperature at cloud top (K), Height at cloud top (km), Height at cloud base (km), Air pressure at cloud base (hPa), Overshooting cloud top detection mask (count), Land and sea surface temperature retrieval (K), Shortwave broadband albedo (unit less), Longwave broadband flux (W/m2), Snow and ice cover flag (count), Land and sea surface temperature retrieval quality flag (count), Clear sky pixel classification (count), Cloudy pixel classification (count)