Cloud Detection with MODIS. Part I: Improvements in the MODIS Cloud Mask for Collection 5

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1057-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Frey ◽  
Steven A. Ackerman ◽  
Yinghui Liu ◽  
Kathleen I. Strabala ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Cloud Detection ◽  
Stream Data ◽  
Water Vapor Absorption ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Cloud Mask

Abstract Significant improvements have been made to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask (MOD35 and MYD35) for Collection 5 reprocessing and forward stream data production. Most of the modifications are realized for nighttime scenes where polar and oceanic regions will see marked improvement. For polar night scenes, two new spectral tests using the 7.2-μm water vapor absorption band have been added as well as updates to the 3.9–12- and 11–12-μm cloud tests. More non-MODIS ancillary input data have been added. Land and sea surface temperature maps provide crucial information for mid- and low-level cloud detection and lessen dependence on ocean brightness temperature variability tests. Sun-glint areas are also improved by use of sea surface temperatures to aid in resolving observations with conflicting cloud versus clear-sky signals, where visible and near-infrared (NIR) reflectances are high, but infrared brightness temperatures are relatively warm. Day and night Arctic cloud frequency results are compared to those created by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Polar Pathfinder-Extended (APP-X) algorithm. Day versus night sea surface temperatures derived from MODIS radiances and using only the MODIS cloud mask for cloud screening are contrasted. Frequencies of cloud from sun-glint regions are shown as a function of sun-glint angle to gain a sense of cloud mask quality in those regions. Continuing validation activities are described in Part II of this paper.

scholarly journals Multilayer Cloud Detection with the MODIS Near-Infrared Water Vapor Absorption Band

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 2315-2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Wind ◽  
Steven Platnick ◽  
Michael D. King ◽  
Paul A. Hubanks ◽  
Michael J. Pavolonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Cloud Detection ◽  
Water Vapor Absorption ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Cloud Models ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract Data Collection 5 processing for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra and Aqua spacecraft includes an algorithm for detecting multilayered clouds in daytime. The main objective of this algorithm is to detect multilayered cloud scenes, specifically optically thin ice cloud overlying a lower-level water cloud, that present difficulties for retrieving cloud effective radius using single-layer plane-parallel cloud models. The algorithm uses the MODIS 0.94-μm water vapor band along with CO2 bands to obtain two above-cloud precipitable water retrievals, the difference of which, in conjunction with additional tests, provides a map of where multilayered clouds might potentially exist. The presence of a multilayered cloud results in a large difference in retrievals of above-cloud properties between the CO2 and the 0.94-μm methods. In this paper the MODIS multilayered cloud algorithm is described, results of using the algorithm over example scenes are shown, and global statistics for multilayered clouds as observed by MODIS are discussed. A theoretical study of the algorithm behavior for simulated multilayered clouds is also given. Results are compared to two other comparable passive imager methods. A set of standard cloudy atmospheric profiles developed during the course of this investigation is also presented. The results lead to the conclusion that the MODIS multilayer cloud detection algorithm has some skill in identifying multilayered clouds with different thermodynamic phases.

scholarly journals Advances in Egyptian Mediterranean Coast Climate Change Monitoring

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1870
Author(s):  
Matteo Gentilucci ◽  
Abdelraouf A. Moustafa ◽  
Fagr Kh. Abdel-Gawad ◽  
Samira R. Mansour ◽  
Maria Rosaria Coppola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Homogeneity Test ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Climate Trends ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Lessepsian Species

This paper characterizes non-indigenous fish species (NIS) and analyses both atmospheric and sea surface temperatures for the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1991 to 2020, in relation to previous reports in the same areas. Taxonomical characterization depicts 47 NIS from the Suez Canal (Lessepsian/alien) and 5 from the Atlantic provenance. GenBank accession number of the NIS mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase 1, reproductive and commercial biodata, and a schematic Inkscape drawing for the most harmful Lessepsian species were reported. For sea surface temperatures (SST), an increase of 1.2 °C to 1.6 °C was observed using GIS software. The lack of linear correlation between annual air temperature and annual SST at the same detection points (Pearson r) could suggest a difference in submarine currents, whereas the Pettitt homogeneity test highlights a temperature breakpoint in 2005–2006 that may have favoured the settlement of non-indigenous fauna in the coastal sites of Damiette, El Arish, El Hammam, Alexandria, El Alamain, and Mersa Matruh, while there seems to be a breakpoint present in 2001 for El Sallum. This assessment of climate trends is in good agreement with the previous sightings of non-native fish species. New insights into the assessment of Egyptian coastal climate change are discussed.

scholarly journals Absolute seasonal temperature estimates from clumped isotopes in bivalve shells suggest warm and variable greenhouse climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels J. de Winter ◽  
Inigo A. Müller ◽  
Ilja J. Kocken ◽  
Nicolas Thibault ◽  
Clemens V. Ullmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions ◽  
Bivalve Shells

AbstractSeasonal variability in sea surface temperatures plays a fundamental role in climate dynamics and species distribution. Seasonal bias can also severely compromise the accuracy of mean annual temperature reconstructions. It is therefore essential to better understand seasonal variability in climates of the past. Many reconstructions of climate in deep time neglect this issue and rely on controversial assumptions, such as estimates of sea water oxygen isotope composition. Here we present absolute seasonal temperature reconstructions based on clumped isotope measurements in bivalve shells which, critically, do not rely on these assumptions. We reconstruct highly precise monthly sea surface temperatures at around 50 °N latitude from individual oyster and rudist shells of the Campanian greenhouse period about 78 million years ago, when the seasonal range at 50 °N comprised 15 to 27 °C. In agreement with fully coupled climate model simulations, we find that greenhouse climates outside the tropics were warmer and more seasonal than previously thought. We conclude that seasonal bias and assumptions about seawater composition can distort temperature reconstructions and our understanding of past greenhouse climates.

scholarly journals A spatiotemporal reconstruction of sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic during Dansgaard–Oeschger events 5–8

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 901-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari F. Jensen ◽  
Aleksi Nummelin ◽  
Søren B. Nielsen ◽  
Henrik Sadatzki ◽  
Evangeline Sessford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Sea Surface Temperatures ◽  
Proxy Data ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Reconstructions

Abstract. Here, we establish a spatiotemporal evolution of the sea-surface temperatures in the North Atlantic over Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events 5–8 (approximately 30–40 kyr) using the proxy surrogate reconstruction method. Proxy data suggest a large variability in North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures during the DO events of the last glacial period. However, proxy data availability is limited and cannot provide a full spatial picture of the oceanic changes. Therefore, we combine fully coupled, general circulation model simulations with planktic foraminifera based sea-surface temperature reconstructions to obtain a broader spatial picture of the ocean state during DO events 5–8. The resulting spatial sea-surface temperature patterns agree over a number of different general circulation models and simulations. We find that sea-surface temperature variability over the DO events is characterized by colder conditions in the subpolar North Atlantic during stadials than during interstadials, and the variability is linked to changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation and in the sea-ice cover. Forced simulations are needed to capture the strength of the temperature variability and to reconstruct the variability in other climatic records not directly linked to the sea-surface temperature reconstructions. This is the first time the proxy surrogate reconstruction method has been applied to oceanic variability during MIS3. Our results remain robust, even when age uncertainties of proxy data, the number of available temperature reconstructions, and different climate models are considered. However, we also highlight shortcomings of the methodology that should be addressed in future implementations.

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