Validation of Cloud Properties From Multiple Satellites Using CALIOP DataThe NASA Langley Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) is routinely applied to multispectral imagery from several geostationary and polar-orbiting imagers to retrieve cloud properties for weather and climate applications. Validation of the retrievals with independent datasets is continuously ongoing in order to understand differences caused by calibration, spatial resolution, viewing geometry, and other factors. The CALIOP instrument provides a decade of detailed cloud observations which can be used to evaluate passive imager retrievals of cloud boundaries, thermodynamic phase, cloud optical depth, and water path on a global scale. This paper focuses on comparisons of CALIOP retrievals to retrievals from MODIS, VIIRS, AVHRR, GOES, SEVIRI, and MTSAT. CALIOP is particularly skilled at detecting weakly-scattering cirrus clouds with optical depths less than approx. 0.5. These clouds are often undetected by passive imagers and the effect this has on the property retrievals is discussed.
Document ID
20160007830
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Yost, Christopher R. (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Minnis, Patrick (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Bedka, Kristopher M. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Heck, Patrick W. (Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI, United States)
Palikonda, Rabindra (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Sun-Mack, Sunny (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Trepte, Qing (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)