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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Height (Top and Base) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from NDE

JPSS-CHTB-NDE

browse graphicSuomi NPP VIIRS NDE Cloud Top Height retrieval over the northern Atlantic Ocean on July 6, 2017.
This dataset contains a high quality operational Environmental Data Record (EDR) of cloud height (top and base) from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument onboard the Suomi-NPP satellite and is produced by the NOAA Satellite and Information Service (NESDIS). The cloud height product contains an image with pixel values identifying the geopotential height at the top of a cloud layer. Additionally, this product includes data quality information that provides an assessment of the cloud height values for on-earth pixels. The algorithm uses VIIRS infrared bands M14 (8.5µm), M15 (11.2µm), and M16 (12.3µm). The spatial resolution of the EDR is 750 meters and data are collected during day and night passes which provides global coverage at a temporal resolution of approximately every 12 hours. VIIRS cloud height data distributed by the NESDIS Data Exploitation (NDE) system and obtained from the Comprehensive Large Array-Data Stewardship System (CLASS) are distributed in single 86-second granules in NetCDF-4 format with metadata attributes included.
  • Cite as: Heidinger, Andrew, Donahue, David, and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2017): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Height (Top and Base) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from NDE. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5G73BX7. [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01440
Full Text · XML
Download Data
  • NOAA CLASS FTP Server (download)
    Access and download data tar files by date and product for the previous 85 days. The directory structure is as follows, date(yyyymmdd)->instrument family->product.
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 Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 2017-07-06 to Present (time interval: 12-hour)
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2017-07-06
Edition Validated
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Continual
Purpose This data set provides a high quality Environmental Data Record (EDR) of Cloud Base Heights (CBH). As a high quality EDR, this data set could be used by the general aviation community for cloud ceiling and visibility determinations or as an environmental variable in climate models.
Use Limitations
  • For a complete list of limitations of this dataset see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD).
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Heidinger, Andrew, Donahue, David, and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2017): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Height (Top and Base) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from NDE. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5G73BX7. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Heidinger, Andrew
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Donahue, David
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NOAA JPSS Program Office
Principal Investigators
  • Heidinger, Andrew
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Donahue, David
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Resource Providers
  • NOAA JPSS Program Office
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
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 Base Height
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO > Office of Satellite and Product Operations, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • SUOMI-NPP > Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership
  • NOAA-20 > Joint Polar Satellite System - 1
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • VIIRS > Visible-Infrared Imager-Radiometer Suite
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA OneStop Project
  • JPSS > Joint Polar Satellite System
  • NDE > NESDIS Data Exploitation
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 500 meters - < 1 km
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Heidinger, Andrew, Donahue, David, and NOAA JPSS Program Office (2017): NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Height (Top and Base) Environmental Data Record (EDR) from NDE. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5G73BX7. [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: dataset
Lineage Statement The data were produced by the NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO) NDE/PDA and are archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • For a complete description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Data Flow Diagram.
  • 2013-04-05T00:00:00 - The S-NPP Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached beta maturity.
  • 2015-12-15T00:00:00 - The S-NPP Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached provisional maturity.
  • The S-NPP Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached validated maturity.
  • 2018-07-23T00:00:00 - The NOAA-20 Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached beta maturity.
  • The NOAA-20 Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached provisional maturity.
  • The NOAA-20 Cloud Height (Top and Base) algorithm reached validated maturity.
Processing Documents
Source Datasets
  • NOAA JPSS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Sensor Data Record (SDR) from IDPS
    • NCEI landing page for JPSS-VIIRS-SDR
      Source dataset landing page with general information and access links for the dataset.
    • Description of Source: Sensor Data Record (SDR)
    • Temporal extent used: 2012-02-07 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:90 S:-90 E:180 W:-180
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: 2023-06-23
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