ISCCP H-Series data production at NCEI: Updating the iconic ISCCP data

The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) H-Series dataset is being produced by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This long anticipated product is the successor to the ISCCP D-Series product that provides global cloud data from July 1983 through December 2009. While the H-Series product retains the same cloud detection procedures, the new ISCCP H-Series product is produced at a much higher spatial resolution of ~10 km. The product continues to rely on a combination of geostationary and polar orbiter data (B1U and AVHRR GAC) along with a variety of ancillary products that have also been enhanced to improve the quality of the dataset. Comparisons between D and H series monthly mean products will be provided with a comprehensive description of the new improvements to the H-Series operational product, its access, and impacts on climate applications will be presented.