An Overview of ARM Satellite Cloud and Radiation Budget Datasets
Minnis, P.(a), Nguyen, L.(a), Smith Jr., W.L.(a), Doelling, D.R.(b), Heck, P.W.(c), Khaiyer, M.M.(b), Palikonda, R.(b), Young, D.F.(a), Spangenberg, D.A.(b), Chakrapani, V.(b), Walter, B.J.(b), and Nowicki, G.D.(b), NASA Langley Research Center (a), Analytical Services and Materials, Inc. (b), CIMSS/University of Wisconsin-Madison (c)
Fourteenth Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Science Team Meeting
The derivation of cloud properties from satellite data has been greatly enhanced by the availability of new multispectral satellite imagers, the validation power of ARM instruments and IOPs, and increases in computer processing speeds. Likewise, the recent availability of broadband radiation measurements by the CERES program have facilitated the improvement of the top-of-atmosphere broadband radiative fluxes inferred from narrowband imager measurements. The algorithms for deriving cloud parameters for ARM have evolved from simple visible and infrared retrievals of cloud amount, height, and optical depth to multispectral techniques like the Visible Infrared Solar-infrared Split-window Technique (VISST) and Solar infrared- Infrared-Split window Technique (SIST) currently used for daytime and nighttime respectively, retrievals of the cloud amount, phase, height, thickness, optical depth, effective particle size, and ice or liquid water path. Currently, these methods are being applied on a near-real time basis to GOES data over the ARM SGP and TWP domains as well as to post facto data from MODIS and AVHRR over the ARM NSA and TWP. The methods and their application are being updated whenever feedback from users or from validation studies indicates a need. New narrowband-to-broadband conversion formulae are being developed on a regional and seasonal basis over each domain to increase the accuracy of the broadband fluxes. New angular correction models are also being applied to minimize viewing angle biases and uncertainties. The datasets will be reprocessed at various times, especially when specific time periods are needed. The TWP domain has recently been expanded to include Darwin, Australia and an additional 10° of latitude. Plans for expanding the SGP domain are also being developed. The number of available parameters has also been increased. This paper provides an overview of the products, their availability, and accuracy as well as future plans. Interactive tools for accessing and viewing the data products are demonstrated.
Note: This is the poster abstract presented at the meeting; an extended version was not provided by the author(s).
