Abstract
Abstract. Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) is the first of a new generation of NASA's Earth-observing research satellites. The Suomi NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) collects visible and infrared views of Earth's dynamic surface processes. This NPP mission produces a series of Environmental Data Records (EDRs). As accurate information on cloud occurrence is of utmost importance for a wide range of remote-sensing applications and analyses, we developed a cloud mask algorithm, adapted from the Landsat 7 Automatic Cloud Cover Assessment, for use with the VIIRS Imagery EDRs. The algorithm consists of a sequence of pixel-based tests that use thresholds on VIIRS top-of-atmosphere reflectances and brightness temperatures. Our cloud mask algorithm provides a simpler, though less informative and robust, alternative to the VIIRS Cloud Mask (VCM) Intermediate Product, with the advantage in that it can be applied to a higher spatial resolution VIIRS Imagery EDR. The algorithm is compared with the VCM in three case studies.
Highlights
Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) is the first of a new generation of NASA's Earth-observing research satellites that observes many facets of our changing Earth
Though the cloud mask algorithm produces results that are less accurate than the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Mask (VCM) Intermediate Product (JPSS, 2015), it has an advantage in that it can be quickly calculated from a VIIRS Imagery Environmental Data Records (EDRs) and used to assess cloud cover at the EDR's 375 m nadir resolution
We developed a cloud mask algorithm based on the Landsat 7 ETM+ Automatic Cloud Cover Assessment
Summary
Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) is the first of a new generation of NASA's Earth-observing research satellites that observes many facets of our changing Earth. Since 2011 it collects and distributes remotely-sensed land, ocean, and atmospheric data to the meteorological and global climate change communities. The Suomi NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) has a 22-band radiometer similar to the MODIS instrument. It collects visible and infrared views of Earth's dynamic surface processes, such as wildfires, land changes, and ice movement. VIIRS measures atmospheric and oceanic properties, including clouds and sea surface temperature. This NPP mission produces a series of Environmental Data Records (EDRs). Though the cloud mask algorithm produces results that are less accurate than the VIIRS Cloud Mask (VCM) Intermediate Product (JPSS, 2015), it has an advantage in that it can be quickly calculated from a VIIRS Imagery EDR and used to assess cloud cover at the EDR's 375 m nadir resolution
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