CHANCES Layered Cloud (CLVL) Product - Initial 1-Month Sample

摘要

The Climatological and Historical Analysis of Clouds for EnvironmentalSimulations (CHANCES) database was used, with additional supportive data, to produce a multi-layer cloud database for an initial 30-day period in July, 1994 (selected from within the CHANCES database period of February 1994 through January 1995 inclusive). The supportive data include the USAFHigh-Resolution Analysis System (HIRAS) and Surface Temperature data, USAFECCC surface observations (DATSAV2 database), DMSP Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) retrievals, and the U.S. Navy topographic database (ETOPOS). The global satellite image data set that served as the primary input to this layered cloud product is the CHANCES image database. In this study, the 5-km resolution CHANCES infrared image database was the primary satellite radiance input for the location of clouds. The HIRAS analysis and satellite microwave retrievals (e.g. ,SSM/I) were used to provide the vertical moisture distribution for the cloud layer assignments. The surface observations were used as input for both cloud base measurements and estimates. Surface observations were the primary input source over land, and the HIRAS analysis and SSM/I retrievals were the primary data source over the oceans.