VIIRS/NOAA20: Daily Global Cloud Optical and Top Properties

Global satellite data provides daily measurements of cloud optical and cloud-top properties on a 1x1 degree grid. This product, CLDPROP_D3_VIIRS_NOAA20, is designed to ensure continuity with long-term MODIS and VIIRS climate records. It uses a common algorithm that leverages spectral channels shared by both the MODIS and VIIRS instruments.

Use Cases

• Analyzing global cloud fraction and frequency trends based on daily aggregated measurements.
• Studying cloud-top height and temperature for climate model validation.
• Investigating cloud radiative effects using derived cloud optical property parameters.
• Conducting long-term climate record analysis by leveraging continuity with MODIS heritage data.

Strengths

• Provides continuity for long-term climate records from both MODIS and VIIRS satellite heritages.
• Derived from a common algorithm designed for cross-instrument consistency.
• Cross-platform presence on datagov and nasa_earthdata signals its importance and official status.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided in the available descriptions.
• The 'last updated' date of 2026-04-09 appears to be a future date, indicating potential metadata freshness issues.
• Documentation is referenced via an external link, requiring users to leave the platform for detailed specifications.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA-20 satellite, processed to a Level 3 daily gridded product.

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:11:55.824004

Geography

Global