Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
AMT
Articles | Volume 18, issue 19
Articles | Volume 18, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5299-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5299-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 18, issue 19
Research article
 | 
14 Oct 2025
Research article |  | 14 Oct 2025

Retrieving vertical profiles of cloud droplet effective radius using multispectral measurements from MODIS: examples and limitations

Andrew J. Buggee and Peter Pilewskie

Data sets

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

MODIS 1km Calibrated Radiances Product MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MOD021KM.061

MODIS atmosphere L2 cloud product (06_L2) S. Platnick et al. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MOD06_L2.061

MODIS Atmosphere L2 Cloud Product (06_L2) S. Platnick et al. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MYD06_L2.061

Navigation, State Parameter, and Microphysics LRT (1-sps) Data NSF NCAR Earth Observing Laboratory https://doi.org/10.5065/D60863M8

Model code and software

Multispectral retrieval using MODIS Buggee https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17242873

Download
Short summary
This research aimed to improve our understanding of cloud structure using spaceborne measurements. The study applied an optimal estimation method to determine how cloud droplet sizes change with height, using satellite data and coincident aircraft measurements for validation. It found that current space-borne spectrometers lack the accuracy to fully resolve this vertical structure, but upcoming instruments like CLARREO (Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Earth Observatory) Pathfinder will significantly enhance this capability.
Read more
Share