The VIIRS/SNPP Cloud Properties COSP Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid product is a new L3 CLDPROP COSP Cloud product with short-name CLDPROPCOSP_M3_VIIRS_SNPP. It contains VIIRS SNPP cloud mask, cloud top, and cloud optical retrieval data over monthly timeframe. It provides a set of custom cloud-related parameters for better comparison with climate model output. The “COSP” acronym in the short-name stands for Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) Observation Simulator Package. Provided in netCDF4 format, it contains 32 aggregated science data sets (SDS/parameters). Consult the CLDPROPCOSP User Guide for details regarding how the L3 monthly statistics are computed, and to learn more about the gridding and sampling protocols specific to this product and a number of other topics germane to the user community. The collection of this product starts from March 1, 2012 and includes 12 granules each calendar year.

The MODIS/Aqua Cloud Properties COSP Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid product is a new L3 CLDPROP COSP Cloud product with short-name CLDPROPCOSP_D3_MODIS_Aqua. It contains MODIS Aqua cloud mask, cloud top, and cloud optical retrieval data over daily timeframe. It provides a set of custom cloud-related parameters for better comparison with climate model output. The “COSP” acronym in the short-name stands for Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) Observation Simulator Package. Provided in netCDF4 format, it contains 32 aggregated science data sets (SDS/parameters). Consult the CLDPROPCOSP User Guide for details regarding how the L3 daily statistics are computed, and to learn more about the gridding and sampling protocols specific to this product and a number of other topics germane to the user community. The collection of this product starts from July 4, 2002 and includes 365 granules each calendar year.

The VIIRS/NOAA20 Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid product, shortname CLDPROP_M3_VIIRS_NOAA20, is a continuity product designed to sustain the long-term records of both Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and VIIRS heritages. CLDPROP is used to represent Cloud Properties, which includes both Cloud-Optical Property (COP) and Cloud-Top Property parameters. This product ensures continuity of approach through a common algorithm that is applicable to both MODIS and VIIRS data by leveraging only those spectral channels that are common to both instruments. For more information, visit product page at: https://ladsweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/missions-and-measurements/products/CLDPROP_M3_VIIRS_NOAA20

The VIIRS/NOAA20 Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid product, shortname CLDPROP_D3_VIIRS_NOAA20, is a continuity product designed to sustain the long-term records of both Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and VIIRS heritages. The Cloud Properties in this product includes both Cloud-Optical Property (COP) and Cloud-Top Property parameters. This product ensures continuity of approach through a common algorithm that is applicable to both MODIS and VIIRS data by leveraging only those spectral channels that are common to both instruments. For more information, visit product page at: https://ladsweb.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/missions-and-measurements/products/CLDPROP_D3_VIIRS_NOAA20

The VIIRS/SNPP Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid product is designed to facilitate continuity in cloud property statistics between the MODIS on the Aqua and Terra platforms and the common continuity products generated for the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) and the MODIS Aqua instruments. CLDPROP Level-3 statistical routines include scalar and histograms (1-D and 2-D) that are calculated identically to statistical datasets in the MODIS standard Level-3 product (MOD08 and MYD08 for MODIS Terra and Aqua, respectively). In addition, the same dataset names are used for all common datasets provided in both the continuity and standard Level-3 files.

The combined MODIS (Aqua/Terra) Cloud Properties Level 3 daily, 1x1 degree grid product represents a new addition that is especially geared to facilitate climate scientists who deal with both models and observations. MCD06COSP_D3_MODIS represents the daily product’s short-name. The “COSP” acronym in its short-name stands for Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) Observation Simulator Package. This product is an aggregation of combined MODIS Level-2 inputs from both the Terra and Aqua incarnations (MOD35/MOD06 and MYD35/MYD06, respectively), and employs an aggregation methodology consistent with the MOD08 and MYD08 products. Provided in netCDF4 format, it contains 23 aggregated science data sets (SDS/parameters). The Collection 6.2 (C6.2) is an improved version from the previous version (C6.1) because a number of bugs detected in Collection 6.1 are fixed.

The Cloud Properties Level-3 gridded product is designed to facilitate continuity in cloud property statistics between the MODIS on the Aqua and Terra platforms and the common continuity products generated for the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) and the MODIS Aqua instruments. CLDPROP Level-3 statistical routines include scalar and histograms (1-D and 2-D) that are calculated identically to statistical datasets in the MODIS standard Level-3 product (MOD08 and MYD08 for MODIS Terra and Aqua, respectively). In addition, the same dataset names are used for all common datasets provided in both the continuity and standard Level-3 files.

The CLAVR-1 cloudmask (Stowe, 1999) is used to cloudmask AVHRR high resolution sea surface temperature products. The cloudmask runs a series of tests on each surface temperature pixel to determine whether the pixel is contaminated by cloud cover. Users may evaluate which specific tests in the cloudmask returned positive cloud presence results by examining the value of the cloudmask. This value corresponds to an 8 bit binary number which details which tests flagged the pixel as a cloudy pixel. See https://coastwatch.pfeg.noaa.gov/info/CLAVR.html for more information regarding the specific tests used in the cloudmask.

Level 3 parameters from HIRS/2 and MSU radiances using the Improved Initialization Inversion (3I) classification retrieval scheme by the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (Ecole Polytechnique) averaged over 1 day and mapped on to a 1x1 degree grid. This data was run as part of the NASA TOVS Pathfinder project and designated as Path-B. This dataset contains data from the NOAA-10 satellite.

Level 3 parameters from HIRS/2 and MSU radiances using the Improved Initialization Inversion (3I) classification retrieval scheme by the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (Ecole Polytechnique) averaged over 1 day and mapped on to a 1x1 degree grid. This data was run as part of the NASA TOVS Pathfinder project and designated as Path-B. This dataset contains data from the NOAA-12 satellite.