The CLOUDMAP 2 project cloud products include cloud top pressure, height, phase, fraction, effective radius and optical depth derived using a variational analysis method applied to data from the Along Track Scanning Radiometer-2 (ATSR-2) over Europe. These data are the result of a contract to Eumetsat for application to the Spinning Enhanced Visible Infra-Red Imager (SEVIRI) and partly under the European Framework 5 CLOUMAP2 project.

The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) was based at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. ISCCP was sponsored by the World Climate Research Programme for the purpose of "collecting and analyzing satellite radiance measurements to infer the global distribution of cloud radiative properties and their diurnal and seasonal variations". This dataset collection contains the global three-hourly cloud products (ISCCP-D1), global monthly cloud products (ISCCP-D2), using the revised algorithm, at 280 km spatial resolution and and monthly cloud analysis products (ISCCP-C2) at 250 km spatial resolution. There are more than 200 variables contained within the datasets. Note - that that the temporal range of the datasets presented here are contain data available from the NASA Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) covers the full extent available at the time of the dataset publication in the CEDA archives, begin in July 1983 and extend through to December 1999 (D1), 2006 (D2) and 1990 (C1). Fuller versions of the datasets are available from ASDC directly. These limited copies were obtained to aid researcher access within the UK community at the time.

The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) was a joint-mission between NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales. The main objectives of the mission was to supply unique data set of vertical cloud and aerosol profiles. This dataset collection contains cloud and aerosol profiles obtained using the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument, the primary instrument on-board the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite. The Lidar uses two bands (1064 nm and 532 nm) of linearly-polarised laser pulses. A three-channel receiver measures the backscatter intensity at 1064 nm and two orthogonal polarisation components at 532 nm, which are used to derive aerosol size and hydration, and cloud ice/water phase. In combination with auxiliary data sources, cloud profiles and radiative fluxes can be derived. Cloud and aerosol profiles derived using CALIPSO data are available dating back to June 2006, obtained from the NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center. Versions 3.x (3.01, 3.02 and 3.30) of the data are held by the NEODC. Version 3-01 (13th June 2006 - 31st October 2011) is a full reprocessing of the mission data. Version 3-02 (1st November 2011 - 28th February 2013) marks the transition to a new cluster computing system without any changes in the algorithm. Version 3-30 (1st March 2013 - present) was released in April 2013. Two ancillary input files were updated. GEOS-5 was updated from version 5.2 to version 5.9.1, and the new version also incorporates enhanced Air Force Weather Authority (AFWA) Snow and Ice Datasets. For Level 1B products, version 3-01 is an improvement over version 3-00, which is no longer available. The version 3 product includes improved algorithms implemented for 532-nm daytime calibration, laser energy interpretations, and interpolation of GMAO gridded data products to the CALIPSO orbit tracks; and updated and new data parameters. The version 3-01 product includes corrections to the 532 nm and 1064 nm extinction, backscatter, and ozone cross-sections. For Level 2 products, version 3-01 is the first version 3 release. Changes include improved cloud clearing code; an enhanced cloud-aerosol discrimination algorithm; improved daytime calibration procedures; and a new algorithm for assessing cloud thermodynamic phase. There were also other improvements specific to the type of product.

This dataset provides a version of the Cloud_cci ATSR2-AATSRv3 monthly gridded dataset in Obs4MIPs format. The Cloud_cci ATSR2-AATSRv3 dataset (covering 1995-2012) was generated within the Cloud_cci project, which was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme (Contract No.: 4000109870/13/I-NB). This dataset is based on measurements taken by the Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR-2) on-board the European Remote Sensing Satellite -2 (ERS-2), and by the Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) on-board the Environmental Satellite (Envisat). It contains a variety of cloud properties which were derived employing the Community Cloud retrieval for Climate (CC4CL) retrieval framework. This particular Obs4MIPS product has been generated for inclusion in Obs4MIPs (Observations for Model Intercomparisons Project), which is an activity to make observational products more accessible for climate model intercomparisons. Individual files are provided covering seven cloud variables: Cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer (clCCI); Atmospheric cloud ice content (clivi); Cloud area fraction (cltCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer(clwCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction (clwtCCI); Atmosphere mass content of cloud condensed water (clwvi); Air pressure at cloud top (pctCCI)

This dataset provides a version of the Cloud_cci AVHRR-AMv3 monthly gridded dataset in Obs4MIPs format. The Cloud_cci AVHRR-AMv3 dataset (covering 1991-2016) was generated within the Cloud_cci project, which was funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme (Contract No.: 4000109870/13/I-NB). This dataset is based on intercalibrated measurements from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors on-board the NOAA prime morning (AM) satellite NOAA-12,-15,-17, and the EUMETSAT Metop-A satellite. It contains a multi-annual, global dataset of cloud and radiation properties which were derived employing the Community Cloud retrieval for Climate (CC4CL) retrieval framework. This particular Obs4MIPS product has been generated for inclusion in Obs4MIPs (Observations for Model Intercomparisons Project), which is an activity to make observational products more accessible for climate model intercomparisons. Individual files are provided covering seven cloud variables: Cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer (clCCI); Atmospheric cloud ice content (clivi); Cloud area fraction (cltCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction in atmospheric layer(clwCCI); Liquid water cloud area fraction (clwtCCI); Atmosphere mass content of cloud condensed water (clwvi); Air pressure at cloud top (pctCCI)

Data were collected on the 27th of November 2008 and on the 6th of January 2009 by the University of Manchester scanning mobility particle sizer at the Chilbolton site in support of the FAAM Campaign in the South-West of England. The dataset contains measurements of concentrations of aerosols of specific sizes. The data were collected for use in the ICE project, which is one of multiple projects within the APPRAISE (Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And Influences on the Earth's climate) programme.

Data were collected in December 2008 and January to March 2009 by the University of Manchester Aerosol Mass Spectrometer at the Chilbolton Observatory, Hampshire, in support of the FAAM campaign in the South-West of the UK. The dataset contains measurements of mass concentrations of organics, Sulphate, Nitrate, Ammonium and Chloride. The data were collected for use in the CLOUDS project, which is one of multiple projects within the APPRAISE (Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And Influences on the Earth's climate) programme.

Data were collected on 6th January 2009 by the University of Manchester GRIMM dust monitor at the Chilbolton Observatory, Hampshire, in support of the FAAM campaign in the South-West of the UK. The dataset contains measurements of aerosol concentrations. The data were collected for use in the CLOUDS project, which is one of multiple projects within the APPRAISE (Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And Influences on the Earth's climate) programme.

The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) was based at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. ISCCP was sponsored by the World Climate Research Programme for the purpose of "collecting and analysing satellite radiance measurements to infer the global distribution of cloud radiative properties and their diurnal and seasonal variations". This dataset contains the global monthly cloud analysis products (ISCCP-C2), at 250 km spatial resolution. They are derived from monthly averages of data taken with three-hour resolution. The products include monthly averages of calibrated radiances, cloud detection results, and cloud and surface properties from radiative analysis. There are 72 variables contained within the data set. The data available at the time of publication begin in July 1983 and extend through December 1990.

Data were collected on the 27th of November 2008 and on the 6th of January 2009 by the University of Manchester scanning mobility particle sizer at the Chilbolton site in support of the FAAM Campaign in the South-West of England. The dataset contains measurements of concentrations of aerosols of specific sizes. The data were collected for use in the ICE project, which is one of multiple projects within the APPRAISE (Aerosol Properties, PRocesses And Influences on the Earth's climate) programme.