Algorithm Theoretical Basis for Himawari-8 Cloud Mask Product (二行)

The cloud type/phase product is an element of the fundamental cloud product, which incorporates cloud mask, cloud type/phase and cloud top height. The Meteorological Satellite Center (MSC) of Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) separated cloud mask, cloud type/phase and cloud top height, which were contained in miscellaneous level 2 products in the Himawari-7 era, and put them together as a fundamental cloud product. The cloud type/phase product provides information on cloud type (opaque/semi-transparent/fractional) and the phase of cloud drop (water/ice/unknown or mix) at the cloud top. The analysis method is mainly based on the NWCSAF (NoWCasting Satellite Application Facility) cloud type algorithm because the method is well established and relatively easy to understand. Cloud phase comparison between the MSC product and the Level 2 product of MODIS (MYD06L2) and Calipso (CAL_LID_L2_01kmCLay-ValStage1-V3-30) was carried out from 20 July to 2 August 2015. The ice phase capture ratio was greater than 80% for both MODIS and Calipso.