Daily Zonal Cloud Ice Content from Aura Satellite Microwave Sounder

MLS/Aura Level 3 data provides daily binned measurements of cloud ice water content derived from a 240 GHz radiometer. The dataset offers near-global coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4-degree increments and a useful vertical range from 215 to 82.5 hPa. It is produced by the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) from the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat vs pressure zonal mean fields to study the global distribution of cloud ice.
• Use lat vs potential temperature zonal means to investigate cloud ice relationships with atmospheric dynamics.
• Examine equivalent latitude vs potential temperature means for polar vortex studies.
• Utilize statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each group for uncertainty quantification in climate models.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data is binned at 4-degree latitude zonal increments for consistent spatial analysis.
• Recommended useful vertical range spans from 215 to 82.5 hPa with approximately 3 km resolution.

Limitations

• Vertical coverage is limited to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (215-82.5 hPa), excluding lower altitudes.
• Specific row counts, temporal coverage start/end dates, and data update frequency are not provided in the description.
• Users must consult external quality documentation for proper error interpretation.

Provenance

Source

NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 240 GHz radiometer on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) satellite instrument.

Time Range

Data files contain one year of data per file, but specific years are not stated.

Geography

Near-global coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.