High Space and Time Resolution Global Cloud Properties from Satellites

Consistent, high space and time resolution global information on clouds are needed for a variety of weather and climate applications. Operational satellite imager radiances are valuable for cloud detection and for deriving many different physical parameters. By merging retrievals from geostationary (GEO) and sun-synchronous satellites, we generate observations of cloud properties with global coverage and at a high resolution that can meet the needs of multiple users and stakeholders.

This paper describes a new global high-resolution (hourly, 3-km) dataset of cloud properties made available for community use that is constructed from analyses of a constellation of meteorological satellite imagers. We apply common algorithms and calibration methods developed by the NASA Satellite ClOud and Radiation Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) to derive cloud properties across different platforms. These algorithms have been developed over many years to support NASA weather and climate programs such as the Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES). Data taken from Meteosat-9 and -11, Himawari-9, GOES-16 and-18, Aqua, Terra, and NOAA-20 are processed and composited on a 3-km grid to provide hourly global coverage. The global datasets are being produced routinely and available beginning in July 2023 through present time. A brief description of the methods highlighting the unique aspects of the SatCORPS Global Cloud Composite (GCC) data products will be presented, along with access information and plans for a future update that improves accuracies and cross-platform consistency. It is expected that these data can help improve the representation of cloud processes in high resolution, regional, and global predictive models.