Assimilation of Global Cloud Imagery from Multiple Satellites

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Abstract
Synoptic images of the global cloud field have been created from measurements of infrared radiation taken aboard four geostationary and two polar-orbiting platforms simultaneously observing the earth's cloud field. A series of spatial and temporal interpolations, together with data reliability criteria, are used to map synoptic measurements from the geostationary satellites and asynoptic measurements from the polar-orbiting satellites. The synoptic global cloud imagery (GCI) that results has a horizontal resolution of 0.7° in longitude by 0.35° in latitude and a temporal resolution of 3 h, providing an unprecedented view of the global cloud pattern. Each composite image represents a nearly instantaneous snapshot of the entire earth's cloud field. Collectively, the composite imagery resolve, on a global basis, most of the variability inherent to organized convection, including several harmonics of the diurnal cycle. Because of its homogeneous properties, the GCI lends itself easily to a variety of space-time analyses useful for studying global cloud behavior.

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