Satellite retrieval of convective cloud base temperature based on the NPP/VIIRS Imager

The advent of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite provided a quantum jump in the satellite capabilities of retrieving cloud properties, because it nearly tripled the resolution in the thermal channels (375m). This allowed us to develop a methodology for retrieving convective cloud base temperature (T-b) and validate it over the Atmospheric System Research Southern Great Plains site for the satellite early afternoon overpass time. The standard error of the T-b retrieval was only 1.1 degrees C. The knowledge of T-b allows the calculation of cloud base height and the depth of the boundary layer, as well as the boundary layer water vapor mixing ratio with an accuracy of about 10%. The feasibility of retrieving cloud base temperature and height is an essential component that is required for retrieving cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) from satellites by using convective clouds as natural CCN chambers. Key Points Convective cloud base temperature was retrieved from satellite with 1 degrees C accuracy Boundary layer vapor mixing ratio was retrieved with 10% accuracy This became possible by using the 375 m resolution of the NPP/VIIRS Imager