International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, D-Series (Superseded)
ISCCP D-Series
**ISCCP D-Series has been superseded by a newer version. Users should not use ISCCP D-Series except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used the ISCCP D-Series).** ISCCP was established in 1982 as part of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) to collect and analyze satellite radiance measurements to infer the global distribution of clouds, their properties, and their diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variations. Period of record is July 1, 1983 through December 31, 2009. ISCCP D-Series dataset consists of the following products: (1) D1 - Cloud products gridded to 2.5 deg at 3 hourly time steps. This includes about 200 variables, including cloud products, ancillary data and static data. (2) D2 - Monthly averages of cloud products gridded to 2.5 degree. This includes many variables and processing inputs (e.g., ancillary data) as well as outputs (cloud products, etc.). D2 data are temporal averages of the D1 data. (3) DX - Pixel level cloud products in the satellite-projection. This data is roughly 32 km and 3 hourly. This data is used to derive the D1 product. In addition, there are ancillary data files included with the archive; these inputs that are used to create the D-series data.
- Cite as: Russow, William, et al. (2009): International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, D-Series [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
- NCEI DSI 3645_01
- gov.noaa.ncdc:C00976
Download Data |
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HDSS Access System (download)
Access to the D-Series data (D1, D2, DX) via HDSS ordering system (HAS).
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Distribution Formats |
- XML
- Binary
- File Compression: No compression applied.
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Ordering Instructions |
Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. |
Distributor |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov
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Dataset Point of Contact |
Customer Engagement Branch NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1-828-271-4800 ncei.orders@noaa.gov
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Time Period |
1983-07-01 to 2009-12-31 (time interval: 3-hour) |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates |
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
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Spatial Coverage Map |
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Dataset Information |
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NOAA ISCCP Project Site
NOAA now hosts the newest version of the ISCCP Data Series, with more information about the ISCCP Project from this site.
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General Documentation |
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Processing Documents |
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
- Normalization and calibration of geostationary satellite radiances for ISCCP
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
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Associated Resources |
- ISSCP, H-Series
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ISSCP, H-Series
**Current Version** To use the most recent version of the ISCCP data products, please follow the link.
- ISCCP cloud data products
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ISCCP cloud data products
Rossow, W.B., and R.A. Schiffer, 1991: ISCCP cloud data products. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 72, 2-20.
- The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP): The First Project of the World Climate Research Programme
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Publication Dates |
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Data Presentation Form |
mapDigital
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Dataset Progress Status |
Complete - production of the data has been completed |
Data Update Frequency |
Not planned |
Supplemental Information |
The following inputs (ancillary data) used in the ISCCP D-level processing are also included in the archive: (1) TV - Atmospheric temperature and water vapor data used in cloud product retrievals. (2)IS - Ice and Snow data. (3) LW - Land/water mask used in ISCCP processing. (4) OA - Orbit/attitude data--this was provided for a few satellites and represents data used to navigate the satellite data (i.e., convert satellite pixel to Earth location); most providers included this data within the B1 file, but this data is from one specfiic provider that provided navigation information in a separate file. See documentation for more information about ISCCP D-Series input files. |
Purpose |
The ISCCP datasets and analysis products are being used to improve understanding and modeling of the role of clouds in climate, with the primary focus being the elucidation of the effects of clouds on the radiation balance. These data can also used to support many other cloud studies, including understanding of the hydrological cycle. |
Dataset Citation |
- Cite as: Russow, William, et al. (2009): International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, D-Series [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
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Cited Authors |
- Knapp Ken
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Rossow William
NASA/GISS > NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
- Young Alisa
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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Principal Investigators |
- Rossow William
NASA/GISS > NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
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Collaborators |
- Knapp Ken
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Young Alisa
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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Publishers |
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
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Theme keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords- Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)- Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
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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
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Platform keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
- Earth Observation Satellites > GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)
- Earth Observation Satellites > METEOSAT > MSG > Meteosat Second Generation
- Earth Observation Satellites > MTSAT-1R > Multi-functional Transport Satellite 1 Replacement
- Earth Observation Satellites > MTSAT-2 > The Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2
- Earth Observation Satellites > GMS (Japan Geostationary Meteorological Satellite)
- Earth Observation Satellites > INSAT (Indian National Satellite)
- Earth Observation Satellites > NOAA POES (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites)
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Instrument keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > AVHRR > Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Radiometers > MTSAT 1R Imager
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Radiometers > MTSAT 2 Imager
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > VISSR-GMS > Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (GMS Series)
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > GOES I-M SOUNDER
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > VAS > VISSR Atmospheric Sounder
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > MVIRI > Meteosat Visible Infra-Red Imager
- Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Spectrometers/Radiometers > Imaging Spectrometers/Radiometers > SEVIRI > Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager
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Place keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords- Geographic Region > Global
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Project keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords- ISCCP > International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project
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Data Resolution keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
- 250 km - < 500 km or approximately 2.5 degrees - < 5.0 degrees
- 10 km - < 50 km or approximately .09 degree - < .5 degree
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
- Hourly - < Daily
- Monthly - < Annual
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Stratum keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords- Vertical Location > Troposphere
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Use Constraints |
- Cite as: Russow, William, et al. (2009): International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, D-Series [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [access date].
- **ISCCP D-Series has been superseded by a newer version. Users should not use ISCCP D-Series except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used the ISCCP D-Series).**
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Lineage information for: dataset |
Lineage Statement |
The ISCCP algorithm is well described in the peer-reviewed manuscripts as well as NASA ISCCP cloud package documentation. |
Processor |
- Numerous SPCs provided B2 data throughout the ISCCP history. This includes: Canada (AES & MSC), the University of Wisconsin (UWS), Colorado State University (CSU), NOAA (NOA), Europe (EUM and ESA), and Japan (JMA).
- NASA/GISS
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Processing Steps |
- Data sub-sampling The source satellite data is subsampled from the full resolution (as received at the Satellite Processing Center, SPC) to B2 data [B2 refers to a subsampling that approximates a spatial resolution ~32 km).
Rationale: Data processing capabilities in the 1980s could not handle transferring or processing full resolution data, so sub sampled data was sent for archive at the ISCCP Central Archive (NOAA NCEI) and processing at the ISCCP Global Processing Center (NASA GISS).
- Data intercalibration SPCs also sent satellite data to the ISCCP Global Calibration Center (France). The GCC prepared calibration information that allowed direct comparisons between visible and infrared channels on AVHRR with similar channels on the various Geostationary satellites. GCC provided normalization coefficients to the GPC
- Satellite data QC The input satellite data is put through quality control, calibration and reformatting. This process creates a B3 dataset. The B3 dataset is a radiance dataset.
- Cloud package The GPC (NASA GISS) processed B3 data into cloud information using the ISCCP Cloud Algorithm, the B2 data, calibration from the GCC as well as some ancillary data (e.g., ozone amount, temperature/humidity profiles, etc.).
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Processing Documents |
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
- Normalization and calibration of geostationary satellite radiances for ISCCP
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
- DOCUMENTATION OF NEW CLOUD DATASETS
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Source Datasets |
- ISCCP B2 data
- Description of Source: Geostationary and Polar-orbiting Satellite IR & Visible data
- Temporal extent used: 1983-07-01 to 2009-12-31
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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.
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Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email:
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