MODIS Terra Cloud Properties at 1km and 5km Resolution

NASA's Terra satellite MODIS instrument provides 5-minute snapshots of global cloud optical and physical parameters. The data includes cloud top temperature, height, optical thickness, and particle radius derived from infrared and visible radiances. This Level-2 product is processed by the MODIS Atmosphere Team.

Use Cases

• Analyze cloud_top_temperature and cloud_top_height trends to model atmospheric energy budgets.
• Classify cloud_phase (ice vs. water) using infrared and near infrared solar reflected radiance data.
• Map cloud_optical_thickness and effective_particle_radius for climate model validation.
• Detect cloud_shadow_effects from visible radiances for solar irradiance studies.
• Monitor cloud_fraction under daytime and nighttime conditions for weather forecasting.

Strengths

• Parameters are provided at two spatial resolutions: 1-km and 5-km at nadir.
• Each data file covers a five-minute time interval, enabling high temporal analysis.
• The dataset includes a reprocessing effort (Collection 6.1) to correct instrument degradation issues.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column count, and dataset size are unknown.
• Infrared channel degradation occurred after 2016, requiring a cross-talk correction for accurate data.
• The temporal coverage and last update date are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

NASA MODIS instrument on the Terra spacecraft.

Collection Method

Parameters derived from remotely sensed infrared, visible, and near infrared solar reflected radiances.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global coverage from satellite swaths.