Satellite-based detection of deep-convective clouds: the sensitivity of infrared methods and implications for cloud climatology

Kotarba, Andrzej Z.; Wojciechowska, Izabela

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2721-2025

Articles | Volume 18, issue 12

https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2721-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2721-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 18, issue 12

Research article

|

26 Jun 2025

Research article |

| 26 Jun 2025

Satellite-based detection of deep-convective clouds: the sensitivity of infrared methods and implications for cloud climatology

Andrzej Z. Kotarba and Izabela Wojciechowska

Data sets

MODIS/Aqua Level 1B Calibrated Radiances NASA Goddard Space Flight Center https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD06_L2.006

MODIS Geolocation Fields Product MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD03.061

MODIS 1km Calibrated Radiances Product MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD021KM.061

2B-CLDCLASS-LIDAR Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) https://www.cloudsat.cira.colostate.edu/data-products/2b-cldclass-lidar

High Rate SEVIRI Level 1.5 Image Data - MSG - 0 degree European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) https://navigator.eumetsat.int/product/EO:EUM:DAT:MSG:HRSEVIRI

Short summary

The research investigates methods for detecting deep convective clouds (DCCs) using satellite infrared data, essential for understanding long-term climate trends. By validating three popular detection methods against lidar–radar data, it found moderate accuracy (below 75 %), emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning thresholds regionally. The study shows how small threshold changes significantly affect the climatology of severe storms.