High-Resolution Space/Time Variations of Cloud Conditions from the CHANCES Data Set

Cloud amount variability between the 1997-98 major El Nino year and a more “normal” year, 1994, are studied with the aid of a new, high-resolution Climatological and Historical Analysis of Clouds for Environmental Simulation (CHANCES) data set developed from global composites (hourly) from seven satellites. The most extreme cloud variations over both land and ocean areas are identified. Resulting climate and weather forecasting applications are noted.