Global Monthly Cloud Top Temperature Grids from ADEOS-II Satellite

Cloud top temperature data for water clouds derived from the GLI sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite. The dataset provides global monthly averages at a 1/4-degree spatial resolution, produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Data collection and product generation occurred around 2003, with the current version being 'Version 2'.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of cloud top temperature from the 1/4-degree global grid to study cloud-climate feedbacks.
• Validate atmospheric model simulations of cloud properties using the monthly averaged temperature values.
• Correlate cloud top temperature data with other satellite-derived products using the EQR map projection for consistent geospatial analysis.
• Investigate seasonal variations in water cloud properties using the 1-month statistical period data.
• Study cloud microphysics by linking the temperature retrieval, which uses channels 13, 30, and 35, to derived cloud effective particle radius.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage for a complete planetary view.
• Data is derived from a multi-channel sensor system (GLI) specifically designed for environmental monitoring.
• Provides data at a consistent 1/4-degree spatial resolution.

Limitations

• Data is temporally limited, with the last update in October 2003, representing a snapshot in time.
• The dataset focuses solely on water clouds, excluding ice or mixed-phase clouds.
• Specific sample size (row count) and data volume are unknown from the provided information.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Remote sensing data from the GLI optical sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite, processed to Level 3 binned and mapped products.

Time Range

Collection period centered around 2003; exact start date unknown.

Freshness

Static dataset; last updated 2003-10-25.

Geography

Global.