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Multilayer Cloud Detection with the MODIS Near-Infrared Water Vapor Absorption BandData Collection 5 processing for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the NASA Earth Observing System EOS Terra and Aqua spacecraft includes an algorithm for detecting multilayered clouds in daytime. The main objective of this algorithm is to detect multilayered cloud scenes, specifically optically thin ice cloud overlying a lower-level water cloud, that presents difficulties for retrieving cloud effective radius using single layer plane-parallel cloud models. The algorithm uses the MODIS 0.94 micron water vapor band along with CO2 bands to obtain two above-cloud precipitable water retrievals, the difference of which, in conjunction with additional tests, provides a map of where multilayered clouds might potentially exist. The presence of a multilayered cloud results in a large difference in retrievals of above-cloud properties between the CO2 and the 0.94 micron methods. In this paper the MODIS multilayered cloud algorithm is described, results of using the algorithm over example scenes are shown, and global statistics for multilayered clouds as observed by MODIS are discussed. A theoretical study of the algorithm behavior for simulated multilayered clouds is also given. Results are compared to two other comparable passive imager methods. A set of standard cloudy atmospheric profiles developed during the course of this investigation is also presented. The results lead to the conclusion that the MODIS multilayer cloud detection algorithm has some skill in identifying multilayered clouds with different thermodynamic phases
Document ID
20110007302
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Wind, Galina (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Platnick, Steven (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
King, Michael D. (Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Hubanks, Paul A, (Wyle Labs., Inc. United States)
Pavolonis, Michael J. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Madison, WI, United States)
Heidinger, Andrew K. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Madison, WI, United States)
Yang, Ping (Texas A&M Univ. College Station, TX, United States)
Baum, Bryan A. (Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2009
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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