This paper describes the new global long-term International Satellite CloudClimatology Project (ISCCP) H-series climate data record (CDR). The H-seriesdata contain a suite of level 2 and 3 products for monitoring thedistribution and variation of cloud and surface properties to betterunderstand the effects of clouds on climate, the radiation budget, and theglobal hydrologic cycle. This product is currently available for public useand is derived from both geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite imagingradiometers with common visible and infrared (IR) channels. The H-series datacurrently span July 1983 to December 2009 with plans for continuedproduction to extend the record to the present with regular updates. TheH-series data are the longest combined geostationary and polar orbitersatellite-based CDR of cloud properties. Access to the data is provided innetwork common data form (netCDF) and archived by NOAA's National Centers forEnvironmental Information (NCEI) under the satellite Climate Data RecordProgram (https://doi.org/10.7289/V5QZ281S). The basiccharacteristics, history, and evolution of the dataset are presented hereinwith particular emphasis on and discussion of product changes between theH-series and the widely used predecessor D-series product which also spansfrom July 1983 through December 2009. Key refinements included in the ISCCPH-series CDR are based on improved quality control measures, modifiedancillary inputs, higher spatial resolution input and output products,calibration refinements, and updated documentation and metadata to bring theH-series product into compliance with existing standards for climate datarecords.
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