NOAA-21 VIIRS Aerosol Detection Product Validation: Global High-Resolution Observations of Atmospheric Smoke and Blowing Dust

From localized controlled burns for forest management to large wildland fires, or from regional haboobs to Saharan dust transported across the Atlantic Ocean, atmospheric smoke and dust aerosols impact human health and welfare across a range of spatial scales. NOAA’s satellite aerosol detection product (ADP), also known as the smoke/dust mask, is a Level 2 (derived) product that aids end users in monitoring and tracking smoke and blowing dust aerosols during the daytime. ADP derived from measurements of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor onboard NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite Series (JPSS) program satellites indicates the presence and relative thickness of smoke or dust, with daily global coverage at 750m spatial resolution over clear-sky and snow-free regions. The VIIRS ADP Enterprise Processing System (EPS) algorithm uses threshold tests in the deep blue, visible, short-wave IR, and long-wave IR VIIRS bands to detect and separate smoke and dust aerosols from clouds and clear-sky over water and land. NOAA employs three stages of satellite product validation to ensure every product satisfies its intended use in its intended environment. VIIRS ADP from NOAA-21, the latest of the JPSS satellites, was validated for Provisional Maturity (stage 2 of validation) in August 2023 in advance of its release for operational use, anticipated in early 2024. Quantitative evaluation of NOAA-21 VIIRS ADP with AERONET Ångström-based smoke/dust classification shows that the probability of correct detection (POCD) is 96% for smoke and 87% for dust, while the POCD compared to CALIPSO/CALIOP vertical feature mask is 99% for smoke and 80% for dust. In addition, qualitative comparisons of NOAA-21 VIIRS ADP were made to corresponding VIIRS ADP observations from SNPP and NOAA-20, as well as to ADP measured by NOAA’s Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on the geostationary GOES-East and GOES-West satellites. Examples of NOAA-21 VIIRS ADP data for recent notable smoke and blowing dust events across the globe will be presented to demonstrate how end users utilize high-resolution VIIRS ADP for air quality, visibility, and atmospheric composition applications from the mesoscale to planetary scale.

Disclaimer: The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of NOAA or the Department of Commerce.