Articles | Volume 13, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-4995-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-4995-2020
Research article
 | 
25 Sep 2020
Research article |  | 25 Sep 2020

Calibration of global MODIS cloud amount using CALIOP cloud profiles

Andrzej Z. Kotarba

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Cited articles

Ackerman, S. A., Strabala, K. I., Menzel, W. P., Frey, R. A., Moeller, C. C., and Gumley, L. E.: Discriminating clear sky from clouds with MODIS, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 32141–32157, https://doi.org/10.1029/1998JD200032, 1998. 
Ackerman, S. A., Holz, R. E., Frey, R., Eloranta, E. W., Maddux, B. C., and McGill, M.: Cloud detection with MODIS. Part II: Validation, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 25, 1073–1086, https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JTECHA1053.1, 2008. 
Ackerman, S., Frey, R., Kathleen Strabala, K., Liu, Y., Gumley, L., Baum, B., and Menzel, P: MYD35_L2 - MODIS/Aqua Cloud Mask and Spectral Test Results 5-Min L2 Swath 250m and 1km, MODIS Atmosphere L2 Cloud Mask Product, NASA MODIS Adaptive Processing System, Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD35_L2.061, 2017. 
Baum, B. A., Menzel, W. P., Frey, R. A., Tobin, D. C., Holz, R. E., Ackerman, S. A., Heidinger, A. K., and Yang, P.: MODIS cloud-top property refinements for collection 6, J. Appl. Meteorol. Clim., 51, 1145–1163, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-11-0203.1, 2012. 
Chan, M. A. and Comiso, J. C.: Arctic cloud characteristics as derived from MODIS, CALIPSO, and cloudsat, J. Climate, 26, 3285–3306, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00204.1, 2013. 
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Short summary
This paper evaluates the operational approach for producing global (Level 3) cloud amount based on MODIS cloud masks (Level 2). Using CALIPSO we calculate the actual cloud fractions for each cloud mask category, which are 21.5 %, 27.7 %, 66.6 %, and 94.7 % instead of assumed 0 %, 0 %, 100 %, and 100 %. Consequently we find the operational procedure unreliable, especially on a regional/local scale. A method of how to correct and calibrate MODIS global data using CALIPSO detections is suggested.
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