Global Cloud Liquid Water Path from ADEOS-II Satellite

Version 2 data provides a global 0.25-degree resolution map of cloud liquid water path, a key microphysical property, every 4 days. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) produced this dataset using the GLI sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite. Measurements were collected to monitor the Earth's water and energy cycles, with the last update recorded in October 2003.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial and temporal patterns of the cloud liquid water path feature to study cloud formation and precipitation processes.
• Validate and calibrate climate model outputs for cloud microphysical properties using the global 4-day composite data.
• Investigate the relationship between cloud liquid water path and other atmospheric variables by correlating this dataset with concurrent satellite observations.
• Assess cloud radiative forcing by using the liquid water path values, which are derived from reflected solar radiation in GLI channels 13 and 30.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage with a consistent 0.25-degree resolution.
• Data is processed using a specific reflection method applicable to a broad range of water cloud types.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited, with the last update in 2003, making it unsuitable for studying recent climate trends.
• The dataset's statistical period is 4 days, which may miss shorter-term cloud dynamics.
• No information is provided on the total number of observations or the volume of the dataset.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Derived from reflected solar radiation measurements in specific channels (13, 30, 35) of the GLI sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated on 2003-10-25; no update frequency specified.

Geography

Global coverage.