Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-133
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2023-133
22 May 2023
 | 22 May 2023
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal ESSD.

CLARA-A3: The third edition of the AVHRR-based CM SAF climate data record on clouds, radiation and surface albedo covering the period 1979 to 2023

Karl-Göran Karlsson, Martin Stengel, Jan Fokke Meirink, Aku Riihelä, Jörg Trentmann, Tom Akkermans, Diana Stein, Abhay Devasthale, Salomon Eliasson, Erik Johansson, Nina Håkansson, Irina Solodovnik, Nikos Benas, Nicolas Clerbaux, Nathalie Selbach, Marc Schröder, and Rainer Hollmann

Abstract. This paper presents the third edition of the CM SAF cLoud, Albedo and surface RAdiation dataset from AVHRR data, CLARA-A3. The content of earlier CLARA editions, namely cloud, surface albedo, and surface radiation products, has been extended with two additional surface albedo products (blue and white sky albedo), three additional surface radiation products (net shortwave and longwave radiation, surface radiation budget) and two top of atmosphere radiation budget products (reflected solar flux and outgoing longwave radiation). The record length is extended to 42 years (1979–2020) by also incorporating results from the first version of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imager (AVHRR/1). A continuous extension of the climate data record (CDR) has also been implemented by processing an interim climate data record (ICDR) based on the same set of algorithms but with slightly changed ancillary input data. All products are briefly described together with validation results and inter-comparisons with currently existing similar CDRs. The extension of the product portfolio and the temporal coverage of the data record, together with product improvements, is expected to enlarge the potential of using CLARA-A3 for climate change studies and, in particular, studies of potential feedback effects between clouds, surface albedo and radiation.

The CLARA-A3 data record is hosted by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) and is freely available at https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V003.

Karl-Göran Karlsson et al.

Status: open (until 17 Jul 2023)

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Karl-Göran Karlsson et al.

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CLARA-A3: The third edition of the AVHRR-based CM SAF climate data record on clouds, radiation and surface albedo covering the period 1979 to 2023 Karl-Göran Karlsson, Martin Stengel, Jan Fokke Meirink, Aku Riihelä, Jörg Trentmann, Tom Akkermans, Diana Stein, Abhay Devasthale, Salomon Eliasson, Erik Johansson, Nina Håkansson, Irina Solodovnik, Nikos Benas, Nicolas Clerbaux, Nathalie Selbach, Marc Schröder, and Rainer Hollmann https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V003

Karl-Göran Karlsson et al.

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Short summary
This paper presents a global climate data record on cloud parameters, radiation at the surface and at the top of atmosphere, and surface albedo. The temporal coverage is 1979–2020 (42 years) and the data record is also continuously updated until present time. Thus, more than four decades of climate parameters are provided. Based on CLARA-A3, studies on distribution of clouds and radiation parameters can be made and, especially, investigations of climate trends and evaluation of climate models.