Monthly Binned Cloud Ice Water Content from Aura Satellite

MLS/Aura Level 3 monthly binned data provides cloud ice water content (IWC) measurements derived from the 240 GHz radiometer. Spatial coverage is near-global from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a 4x5 degree resolution, with a useful vertical range from 215 to 82.5 hPa. The dataset is produced by the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) team and archived by NASA's GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to study the global spatial distribution and variability of cloud ice water content.
• Use the lat vs pressure zonal mean group to examine meridional trends and seasonal cycles of IWC across different pressure levels.
• Investigate the vortex average vs potential temperature group to understand polar stratospheric cloud composition and dynamics.
• Leverage the min, max, and std dev fields within each data group to quantify measurement uncertainty and natural variability in IWC.
• Correlate IWC data from the equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean group with other atmospheric trace gases for process studies.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data is binned monthly, providing a stable climatological product for trend analysis.
• Each file contains six distinct group objects (e.g., lat-lon map, zonal mean) with multiple statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms).

Limitations

• The recommended useful vertical range is limited to 215 to 82.5 hPa, excluding higher and lower altitudes.
• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the specific MLS Quality Document chapters, indicating complexity for new users.

Provenance

Source

EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument, processed and archived by NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 240 GHz radiometer and processed into Level 3 monthly binned products.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

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