Multi-layer cloud detection and distributions over the Asia–Pacific region based on geostationary satellite imagers

Description

This study improved a threshold algorithm for detecting ice-over-water multi-layer (ML) clouds using geostationary satellites. The optimal thresholds were established by the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) and the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager (AGRI) spectral characteristics, respectively. Validation with collocated space radar (CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar, CPR) and lidar (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization, CALIOP) measurements. The ML clouds inferred by AHI and AGRI exhibited similar annual distributions. Furthermore, hourly AHI observations over six years detected obvious monthly and daily variations in ice-over-water clouds over the Asia–Pacific region. The specific descriptions of the data are as follows: Datasets(“fig1”): AHI and AGRI cloud classification results and the CPR- CALIOP cloud vertical distribution observations. It is a case study of ML cloud detection to verify the accuracy of the detection results. Datasets(“fig2”): statistical percentages of ice, Pro ML, and ML clouds identified by AHI and AGRI compared with CPR- CALIOP products. Datasets(“fig3”): the percentages of AHI and AGRI cloud occurrence frequencies, including ice-over-water cloud, ice cloud, water cloud, total cloud occurrence frequency. Datasets(“fig4”): Zonal and meridional occurrence frequency distributions of ice-over-water, ice, water, and total clouds. Datasets(“fig5-6”): ice-over-water cloud occurrence frequency distributions and anomalies for each month derived from the AHI for the 2017–2022 period. Datasets(“fig7”): mean percentage of ice-over-water cloud occurrence frequency for each month for 2017–2022. Datasets(“fig8”): average occurrence frequency of six time zones (UTC+06 to UTC+11) in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres across the four seasons. Datasets(“fig9-10”): anomalies of ice-over-water cloud occurrence frequency from UTC+06 to UTC+11 LST in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere from 2017 to 2022.

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