Current Status of Cloud Properties from VIIRS on JPSS-1 for CERES

The Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) analyzes MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data to derive cloud properties that are combined with aerosol and CERES broadband flux data to create a multi-parameter data set for climate study. CERES has produced over 18 years of data for Terra, over 16 years of data from Aqua and over 6 years of data from Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership (SNPP) using the CERES-MODIS Edition-4 cloud retrieval algorithm for Terra & Aqua, and Edition-1 for SNPP. The Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1, later renamed to NOAA-20) was launched successfully on November 18, 2017. JPSS-1 VIIRS has taken data since April 2018. This paper presents the first look at cloud macro- and micro-physical properties retrieved from VIIRS on JPSS-1/NOAA-20 with CERES Edition-1 SNPP algorithm. It examines the observed reflectances and brightness temperatures (VIS, NIR & IR) used in CERES cloud retrieval between VIIRS on JPSS-1/NOAA-20 and VIIRS on SNPP. The paper also compares the first-look cloud properties with CERES SNPP-VIIRS Edition 1 and CERES Aqua-MODIS Edition 4.