Application:

Identification of cloudy and cloud free areas.

Detection of the presence of snowy grounds.

Identification of major cloud classes (low broken (fractional), high semi-transparent, high, mid-level and low thick clouds).

Advantages:

✓ Available from meteorological geostationary satellites (GOES, Himawari, MSG).

✓ Available during day and night.

✓ Available at the temporal frequency of the satellites.

Limitations:

X Low clouds may not be detected at low sun elevation or even at night-time (infrequent).

X Snow is not identified at night-time and may be confused as low clouds.

X Low clouds surmounted by thin cirrus may be classified as mid-level clouds.

X Very low clouds may be classified as mid-level clouds in case strong thermal inversion.

X Very thin cirrus may be classified as low broken clouds.