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A cloud detection algorithm for high‐spectral‐resolution infrared sounders
Author(s) -
McNally A. P.,
Watts P. D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1256/qj.02.208
Subject(s) - remote sensing , residual , cloud computing , infrared , radiance , environmental science , numerical weather prediction , spectral resolution , spectral line , high resolution , resolution (logic) , meteorology , computer science , algorithm , geology , physics , optics , artificial intelligence , astronomy , operating system
A method for detecting cloud contamination in radiances measured by high‐spectral‐resolution infrared sounders is presented. It seeks to identify clear channels within a measured spectrum, rather than the locations of completely clear spectra. Applied to simulated cloudy spectra, the scheme is able to detect clear channels with residual cloud contamination better than (i.e. less than) 0.2 K in many channels, and is thus considered sufficiently stringent for numerical weather‐prediction applications. The scheme has been applied to spectra measured by the Advanced InfraRed Sounder and, whilst a quantitative validation is more difficult with real data (without true clear radiances), it is found to perform well compared with coincident imagery. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society