MIPAS Clouds

Summary information on cloud detection and cloud classification:

CTH:	cloud top height is a combination of various detection methods but dominated by the macro retrieval CTH information (RTV_CTH_MARCO)
Type:	various method on PSC type classification are combined for the measured spectrum at the detected CTH. A Primitive Bayes approach has been applied for the cirrus/liquid differentiation (as well for PSC classification) based on modelled cloud spectra.

Cloud Top Height retrieved by a colour ratio approach in MIPAS band A and thresholding used in the operational ESA level 2 processor.
[Sensitivity: conservative / robust detection / might mismatch thin clouds]

Cloud Top Height retrieved with the same colour ratio like CTH_OPER_CI but with optimised thresholds based on MIPAS 2003 data (atitude/altitude/month dependent).
[Sensitivity: high / might produce some artefacts in the polar summer regions]

Cloud Top Height retrieved with the same colour ratio like CTH_OPER_CI but with optimised thresholding (latitude/altitude dependent).
[Sensitivity: high / might produce some artefacts]

Cloud Top Height based on Singular Value Decomposition of modelled spectra.
[Sensitivity: middle / might mismatch thin clouds]

Cloud Top Temperature based on then temperature of ECMWF forcast or climatological data at the altitude of the CTH_CIOPT_THRESH spectrum.

Cloud Top Temperature based on then temperature of ECMWF forcast or climatological data at the altitude of the CTH_OPER_CI spectrum.

Cloud Top Height of a three parameter optimal estimation retrieval (CTH,CTT,CEX extinction). The macrophysical retireval takes into account the partly cloudiness in the field of view of MIPAS (3km).
[Sensitivity: high / detects enhanced stratospheric aerosol]
Attention: Some artificial large CTHs may occur (>28 km), caused by a so far unsolved problem with the reduced spectral resolution data of MIPAS.

MIPclouds: Preliminary Cloud Processor Products for MIPAS