VIIRS/SNPP Monthly Cloud Properties Gridded Data

VIIRS/SNPP Cloud Properties Level 3 monthly, 1x1 degree grid product provides statistical cloud property data for continuity between MODIS Aqua/Terra and VIIRS instruments. The dataset includes scalar and histogram (1-D and 2-D) statistics calculated identically to MODIS standard products. It is produced by the LAADS organization and was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyzing monthly cloud fraction and frequency distributions across a 1x1 degree global grid.
• Studying cloud-top height and temperature statistics for climate model validation.
• Investigating cloud radiative properties like emissivity using infrared and visible radiance data.
• Conducting continuity studies between VIIRS/SNPP and legacy MODIS cloud property datasets.

Strengths

• Designed for direct continuity with established MODIS Level-3 cloud products (MOD08/MYD08).
• Includes both scalar and multi-dimensional histogram statistics (1-D and 2-D).
• Available on multiple platforms (NASA Earthdata, Data.gov), indicating established use and importance.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column names, and dataset size are unknown from all provided sources.
• Sources conflict on license details, with one specifying 'other-license-specified' and another listing 'None'.
• The exact temporal coverage (start date) of the data is not provided.

Provenance

Source

LAADS (Level-1 and Atmosphere Archive & Distribution System)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP (SNPP) spacecraft, processed to Level-3 monthly gridded statistics.

Freshness

2026-03-12 20:27:02.982274

Geography

Global, gridded to 1x1 degree resolution.