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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 Uniform (B1U) Dataset

ISCCP B1U

browse graphicSample image of ISCCP B1U IRWIN channel during the "Storm of the Century" Blizzard. (1993-03-13-21)
Data are collected from the suite of weather satellites operated by several nations and processed into B1 data by several groups in government agencies, laboratories, and universities. Data is submitted in multiple formats, depending on the satellite and nation submitting the data. In order to alleviate complexity when creating satellite products, NCEI processes the data into the B1 Uniform (B1U) format, which is used in multiple satellite products. Data are included in the ISCCP H-Series collection, but are a intended as a standalone interim product on their own.

Data Variables:
The primary data variable are the satellite radiance scans: the images. The following is a list of the more prevalent imagery:
IRWIN - Infrared window channel image (~11 microns)
VSCHN - Visible Channel image.(~0.6 microns)
IRWVP - Infrared Water Vaport Channel (~6.7 microns)
IRSPL - Split Window IR channel (~12 microns)
There are many other channels. See documentation for list.

The various file headers contain information on
- navigation (i.e., calculating lat/lons for each pixel and vice versa)
- calibration (i.e., calculating physical values for each image count ... e.g., converting counts to temperature)
- timing (to calculate the time of each scan line).
- and more

Measurement resolution is dependent on the source geostationary instrument. The scans were spatially subsampled to reduce the file sizes. This often results in a spatial resolution of 8 - 10 km near satellite nadir (the resolution decreases away from this point).

The images are provided every 3 hours near (but not exactly at) synoptic hours (00, 03, 06, ..., 21 UTC).

The spatial coverage spans the globe (longitudinally) but geostationary satellites can't really observe the poles. The latitudinal extent is about 65 degrees.

The temporal coverage begins in the 1978 for early SMS satellites. Each satellite will have a different temporal span than another. The globe (longitudinally) can be considered covered beginning in 1982 when there were two satellites of the Western Hemisphere, one at the Prime Meridian and another over the Western Pacific (4 total). The true global coverage (5 satellites) began in 1998.
  • Cite as: Knapp, K. R. (2008): "International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 Uniform (B1U) Dataset [indicate subset used]." NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate access date]
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
  • NCEI DSI 2010_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01551
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01551
Full Text · XML
Other Access
  • NCEI Customer Support (offlineAccess)
    This dataset is not currently available for public download from NCEI. Please contact NCEI to request access to these data.
Distribution Formats
  • Binary
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 1982-01-01 to Present (time interval: 3-hour)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -70
North: 70
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
Associated Resources
  • International Satellite Cloud Climate Project (ISCCP) Climate Data Record (CDR) - H Series Data
  • NASA GISS ISCCP Web Page
  • Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations (Science Paper)
    • Science Paper
      Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548, doi:10.1117/1.3043461
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2008
  • creation: 2006-02-01
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Monthly
Purpose The B1U dataset enables researchers to manipulate the raw data that has been received via the ISCCP Program over the past 30 years in a single consistent format. The primary use is climatological - The data provide reduced resolution data that allows global reprocessing at climate time scales (not currently possible with full resolution geostationary data).
Use Limitations
  • Spatial sampling limits resolution to roughly 8 km.
  • Temporal sampling can't resolve phenomena at times more than every 3 hours.
  • The early data (prior to 2012) most of the data were dynamically redused to 8-bit values (0-255). More recent data is generally at the full satellite resolution (e.g., up to 10-12 bits).
  • See associated documentation for a full description of use limitations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Knapp, K. R. (2008): "International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 Uniform (B1U) Dataset [indicate subset used]." NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate access date]
  • Users should also cite Knapp (2008) when using the ISCCP-B1 data or other ISCCP-B1 imagery or GIBBS imagery in a publication or website. Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548, doi:10.1117/1.3043461
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Earth Radiation Budget
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • GOES-9 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 9
  • METEOSAT-2
  • METEOSAT-3
  • METEOSAT-4 > Meteosat Operational Programme 1 (MOP-1)
  • METEOSAT-5 > Meteosat Operational Programme 2 (MOP-2)
  • METEOSAT-6 > Meteosat Operational Programme 3 (MOP-3)
  • METEOSAT-7
  • METEOSAT-8
  • METEOSAT-9
  • METEOSAT-10
  • GOES-6 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 6
  • GOES-7 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 7
  • GOES-9 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 9
  • GOES-10 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 10
  • GOES-11 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 11
  • GOES-4 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 4
  • GOES-5 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 5
  • GOES-8 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 8
  • GOES-12 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 12
  • GOES-13 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 13
  • GOES-15 > Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 15
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
  • 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
  • ISCCP > International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Hourly - < Daily
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 10 km - < 50 km or approximately .09 degree - < .5 degree
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • > 1 km
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Knapp, K. R. (2008): "International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) B1 Uniform (B1U) Dataset [indicate subset used]." NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate access date]
  • Users should also cite Knapp (2008) when using the ISCCP-B1 data or other ISCCP-B1 imagery or GIBBS imagery in a publication or website. Knapp, K. R., 2008: Scientific data stewardship of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project B1 global geostationary observations. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2, 023548, doi:10.1117/1.3043461
  • 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 NCEI produces ISCCP B1U data directly from ISCCP B1 data. The B1 files currently are (and historically have been) sent to NCEI by numerous providers. The original means were 9 track tapes and most recently files are delivered electronically. Each agency provided the file in their own format. This mean that even the same satellite can have different formats if there are different providers for the data (e.g., Canada's AES and NCEI produced GOES 8 data or both CSU abd UWS provided data for early GOES satellites). Thus, the primary purpose of B1U is to reduce the number of decoders needed to read the data from dozens to 1.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • Reformat data and write to file in the B1U binary format.
    Rationale: Each agency provided the file in their own format. This mean that even the same satellite can have different formats if there are different providers for the data (e.g., Canada's AES and NCEI produced GOES 8 data or both CSU abd UWS provided data for early GOES satellites). Thus, the primary purpose of B1U is to reduce the number of decoders needed to read the data from dozens to 1.
Processing Environment ISCCP B1U data are processed in Linux servers using IDL software.
Processing Documents
Source Datasets
  • ISCCP B1 Data
    • ISCCP B1 Data
      Source dataset landing page with general information and access links for that dataset.
    • Description of Source: B1 data
    • Temporal extent used: 1978-01-01 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:70 S:70 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
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov