Near-Real-Time Retrieval of Cloud Properties Over the ARM CART Area from GOES Data

Mesoscale cloud properties complement the point measurements of similar parameters at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) surface sites. To improve upon the climatology of satellite-derived cloud properties over the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) domain, a pair of multi-spectral algorithms, the Visible-Infrared-Solar Infrared-Split Window Technique (VISST) and Solar Infrared-Station (SIRS) method, respectively, was developed and is currently being applied on a near-real-time basis. Because the nighttime algorithms are still being improved, only the daytime data are considered fully operational. The VISST cloud mask has been improved to discriminate between clouds and snow, and utilizes an improved parameterization of visible (0.65 µm) reflectance. This paper describes the results from the analysis of data taken since January 2000 on a half-hourly basis.

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