Data Products: Cloud Top Height/Cloud Layer

The cloud top height algorithm uses ABI infrared bands to simultaneously retrieve cloud top height, cloud top temperature, and cloud top pressure for each cloudy pixel. These cloud products are a prerequisite for generating other downstream products that include cloud layer, cloud optical/microphysical products, and derived motion winds. Forecasters can use this information to determine areas of cloud growth and likelihood of precipitation. Other operational applications of this product include its use in aviation Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs), supplementing upper-level cloud information to the ground-based Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), and initialization of clouds in numerical weather prediction models.