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Minnis Cloud Products Using Visst Algorithm (VISST)

Information updated on November 5, 2007, 7:49 pm GMT


General Data Description

These data streams contain satellite based retrievals of cloud and radiation properties by Pat Minnis' group at NASA/Langley using the VISST (Visible Infrared Solar-Infrared Split Window Technique) algorithm. The data streams are both pixel-level (4-km) retrievals and averages on a 0.3 or 0.5 degree latitude-longitude grid.

These data streams replace earlier satellite based retrievals that the Minnis group had been providing to ARM that were based on the Layered Bispectral Threshold Method (LBTM).

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Data Stream Names

Measurement Description

NASA-Langley cloud and radiation products are produced using the VISST (Visible Infrared Solar-infrared Split-Window Technique), SIST (Solar-infrared Infrared Split-Window Technique) and SINT (Solar-infrared Infrared Near-Infrared Technique). The technique uses satellite (e.g. GOES, MTSAT, AVHRR) channels to detect clouds and retrieve cloud microphysics. Parameters derived include cloud phase, optical depth, particle size, liquid/ice water path, height, temperature, and others.

Atmospheric profiles are obtained from models (e.g. RUC, GFS).

A description of the algorithm was presented at the 2002 ARM Science Team Meeting (see Citable References).

Temporal Coverage

As of 2007-10-17:
SGP
199805-200412 and 200509-200709 have been archived.
TWP
TWP-ICE: 2006-01/02
NSA
M/PACE: 2004-09-27/2004-10-24, planned extension to full year from 2004-03 to 2005-02 for BBHRP validation needs.

Area Covered

The areas covered are:
SGP
32N-42N, 91W-105W
TWP.C3 Darwin
5S-17S, 125E-136E
NSA
64N-74N, 140W-165W

Data Stream Inputs

none

Notification Form Link

VISST Notification Form

Related Links

NASA/Langley Cloud and Radiation Research (Minnis Group) Home Page
Satellite Imagery and Cloud Products produced by Minnis Group

Contacts

  • ARM Mentor
    • Richard Wagener
  • ARM Software Developer
    • There is no ARM software developer for this data stream. The files are converted to netCDF files that follow ARM conventions by Mandana Khaiyer at LaRC under contract with ARM.

Data Source

Processing History

2006-12-01:
Initial release of new netCDF file generation procedure.

Example Data

See Satellite Imagery and Cloud Products produced by Minnis Group.

Quicklook Links

See Satellite Imagery and Cloud Products produced by Minnis Group.

Acronyms

AVHRRAdvanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
GOESGeostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
LBTMLayered Bispectral Threshold Method
MTSATMulti-functional Transport SATellite
SINTSolar-infrared Infrared Near-Infrared Technique
SISTSolar-infrared Infrared Split-Window Technique
VISSTVisible Infrared Solar-Infrared Split Window Technique
ARM Acronyms

Citable References