Retrieval of cloud top and bottom heights using advanced Earth observing satellite / global imager (ADEOS-II / GLI) data

An algorithm was developed to retrieve simultaneously the cloud optical thickness, effective particle radius, top height, geometrical thickness and then bottom height of a cloud layer with the spectral observation of visible, near infrared, thermal infrared, and oxygen A-band channels. The algorithm was applied to Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II / Global Imager (ADEOS-II / GLI) dataset so as to retrieve global distribution of cloud geometrical properties. The retrieved results around Japan were compared with other observations such as ground-based active sensors and aircraft. It was found that the retrieved cloud base height was comparable, but underestimated by a few hundred meters from the ground-based active cloud radar observation even though there possibly existed a drizzling mode in the observed cloud system. The comparison suggests the algorithm works for water cloud system over ocean at least, while it is necessary to make further validation study with other studies such as ground-, space-ba...