Cloud Properties
Overview
The MODIS Cloud Properties products combine infrared and visible data observations to determine both physical and radiative cloud properties. This suite offers daily global Level-2 data products. Cloud-particle phase (ice vs. water, clouds vs. snow), effective cloud-particle radius, and cloud optical thickness are derived using the MODIS visible and near-infrared channel radiances. An indication of cloud shadows affecting the scene is also provided. Cloud-top temperature, height, effective emissivity, phase (ice vs. water, opaque vs. non-opaque), and cloud fraction are produced by the infrared retrieval methods for both day and night at 5x5 1-km-pixel resolution. Finally, this MODIS product includes cirrus reflectance at visible wavelength at 1-km-pixel resolution, which is useful for removing cirrus scattering effects from the land-surface reflectance product. This suite contains two MODIS Cloud products: MOD06_L2, containing data collected from the Terra platform, and MYD06_L2, containing data collected from the Aqua platform.
Another set of daily (MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS) and monthly (MCD06COSP_M3_MODIS) products is the Level-3 Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) Observation Simulator Package, which is a combined Aqua and Terra MODIS product that is designed to facilitate climate scientists to compare models and observations by producing synthetic MODIS observations from climate model integrations.
Product Information
- Cloud Optical Properties Product PI: Steve Platnick
- Cloud Top Properties Product PI: Steve Ackerman
- Cloud Properties Product PI: Robert Pincus
- Validation
- Cloud Product Home Page
- Documentation, Guides, ATBD
- Data Issues & Quality Statements
- Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Reference
Product Details
| Product Name | Terra Prod ID/DAAC Link | Aqua Prod ID/DAAC Link |
|---|---|---|
| Clouds 5-Min L2 Swath 1km and 5km | MOD06_L2 | MYD06_L2 |
All LAADS Cloud Properties data products are accessible via the LAADS product search page.
| Product Name | Combined Aqua+Terra Prod ID/DAAC Link |
|---|---|
| (Aqua/Terra) Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid | MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS |
| (Aqua/Terra) Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid | MCD06COSP_M3_MODIS |
All LAADS Cloud Properties data products are accessible via the LAADS product search page.
Overview
Cloud properties exemplify a number of attributes: Cloud optical thickness, cloud-particle phase, cloud particle effective radius, cloud-top temperature, height, cloud thermodynamic phase, cloud fraction, etc. The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) NASA Level-2 (L2) Cloud Properties suite comprises two continuity products that are designed to sustain the long-term records of both VIIRS and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) heritages. The original MODIS cloud-top and cloud optical properties algorithms (MOD06 suite) benefit from certain MODIS-specific thermal infrared, water vapor and CO2 absorption channels. The lack of such spectral channels in the VIIRS instrument prevents directly porting the original MODIS algorithms to VIIRS. To ensure a commonly applicable continuity approach to data from both VIIRS and MODIS missions, the CLDPROP algorithm was developed that leverages spectral channels that are common to both instruments. Two cloud properties products exist: the SNPP VIIRS L2 Cloud Properties, and the Aqua MODIS L2 Cloud Properties.
Product Information
- Cloud Properties Product PI: Steve Platnick
- Cloud Product Home Page
- Documentation, Guides, ATBD
- Data Issues & Quality Statements
- Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Reference
Product Details
| MODIS Product Name | Aqua Prod ID/DAAC Link |
|---|---|
| Cloud Properties L2 5-Min Swath 1000 m | CLDPROP_L2_MODIS_Aqua |
| Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid | CLDPROP_D3_MODIS_Aqua |
| Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid | CLDPROP_M3_MODIS_Aqua |
All LAADS Cloud Properties data products are accessible via the LAADS product search page.
| VIIRS Product Name | VIIRS Prod ID/DAAC Link |
|---|---|
| Cloud Properties L2 6-Min Swath 750 m | CLDPROP_L2_VIIRS_SNPP |
| Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid | CLDPROP_D3_VIIRS_SNPP |
| Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid | CLDPROP_M3_VIIRS_SNPP |
All LAADS Cloud Properties data products are accessible via the LAADS product search page.