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Baum, BA; Menzel, WP; Frey, RA; Tobin, DC; Holz, RE; Ackerman, SA; Heidinger, AK; Yang, P (2012). MODIS Cloud-Top Property Refinements for Collection 6. JOURNAL OF APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY, 51(6), 1145-1163.

Abstract
This paper summarizes the Collection-6 refinements in the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MOD'S) operational cloud-top properties algorithm. The focus is on calibration improvements and on cloud macrophysical properties including cloud-top pressure-temperature-height and cloud thermodynamic phase. The cloud phase is based solely on infrared band measurements. In addition, new parameters will be provided in Collection 6, including cloud-top height and a flag for clouds near the tropopause. The cloud parameters are improved primarily through 1) improved knowledge of the spectral response functions for the MODIS 15-mu m carbon dioxide bands gleaned from comparison of coincident MODIS and Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance measurements and 2) continual comparison of global MODIS and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) instantaneous cloud products throughout the course of algorithm refinement. Whereas the cloud-top macrophysical parameters were provided through Collection 5 solely at 5-km spatial resolution, these parameters will be available additionally at 1-km spatial resolution in Collection 6.

DOI:
1558-8424

ISSN:
10.1175/JAMC-D-11-0203.1

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