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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Cloud Properties from AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-x), Version 5.3 (Version Superseded)

AVHRR Cloud Properties - PATMOS-x

browse graphicAVHRR cloud optical depth at the nominal wavelength of 0.65 microns determined from the DCOMP algorithm.
*Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.* This NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of cloud products was produced by the University of Wisconsin using the AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-X) Version 5.3 processing system. The CDR spans from 1979 to the present with daily, global coverage generated from between two and ten NOAA and MetOp satellite passes per day. The source AVHRR data points, with a sensor resolution of 1.09 km near nadir, have been fitted to a 0.1 x 0.1 degree equal-angle grid in ascending and descending files. The four fundamental cloud variables in the CDR include: 1) Cloud Optical Thickness; 2) Cloud Particle Size; 3) Cloud Temperature; and 4) Cloud Emissivity. These cloud products are derived using the ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager) Cloud Height Algorithm (ACHA) and the Daytime Cloud Optical Properties (DCOMP) algorithm. Other variables in this dataset were derived from the four primary variables, or generated through error/quality control assessment in the algorithms. Not counting the coordinate variables, there are 48 data and ancillary data variables in the netCDF data file to facilitate proper data usage. The file format was converted from HDF to netCDF-4 with metadata following the Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions and Attribute Convention for Dataset Discovery (ACDD). The dataset is accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program.
  • Cite as: Andrew K. Heidinger, Michael J. Foster, Andi Walther, Xuepeng Zhao, and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Cloud Properties from AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-x), Version 5.3. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5348HCK [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00840
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Search Data
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Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • NetCDF (Version: 4)
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 (828) 271-4800
avhrr_patmosx_contacts@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period 1981-06-24 to 2021-08-04
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • CDR Source Code
    • CDR Source Code (download)
      This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
  • CDR Data Flow Diagram
  • Climate Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2014-07-03
Edition Version 5.3
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Superseded - replaced by new
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose This dataset provides scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of multiple cloud properties along with AVHRR brightness temperatures. Examples of applications are climate monitoring including trend detection and quantification of climate variability, radiation and energy budget studies, climate model validation and hydrology studies.
Use Limitations
  • *Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.*
  • The quality of the output CDR data is dependent on the quality of the input data. As such, the near real-time data is labeled as an Interim operational CDR (ICDR) or preliminary CDR instead of a final CDR, indicating that it has not yet been fully vetted for climate applications. The near real-time ICDR/preliminary data will transition to final CDR status after the data have undergone further analysis and processing. The expected time lag of the final CDR transition is approximately one year. The state of a data file is indicated within each file name.
  • See the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for a description of use limitations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Andrew K. Heidinger, Michael J. Foster, Andi Walther, Xuepeng Zhao, and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Cloud Properties from AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-x), Version 5.3. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5348HCK [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Heidinger, Andrew K.
  • Foster, Michael J.
  • Walther, Andi
  • Zhao, Xuepeng
  • NOAA CDR Program
Principal Investigators
  • Heidinger, Andrew K.
Collaborators
  • Foster, Michael J.
  • Walther, Andi
  • Zhao, Xuepeng
  • NOAA CDR Program
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Top Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Fraction
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Microphysics > Cloud Optical Depth/Thickness
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Radiative Transfer > Cloud Emissivity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Top Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Top Temperature
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • UWI-MAD/SSEC > Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • NOAA-7 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-7
  • NOAA-9 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-9
  • NOAA-11 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-11
  • NOAA-14 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-14
  • NOAA-16 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-16
  • NOAA-17 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-17
  • NOAA-18 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-18
  • NOAA-19 > National Oceanic > Atmospheric Administration-19
  • MetOp-A > Meteorological Operational Satellite - A
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • AVHRR > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
  • AVHRR-2 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-2
  • AVHRR-3 > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-3
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Andrew K. Heidinger, Michael J. Foster, Andi Walther, Xuepeng Zhao, and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Cloud Properties from AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres - Extended (PATMOS-x), Version 5.3. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5348HCK [access date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-09-18
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