What question did this study set out to answer?

To enhance detection methods for ice clouds by analyzing data from two J-band microwave channels.

February 28, 2026Journal of the European Meteorological Society.0 citationsOpen Access

Advancing ice-cloud detection from microwave sounding data

Key Points

To enhance detection methods for ice clouds by analyzing data from two J-band microwave channels.
Compared the performance of CubeSat TROPICS and Metop-SG satellite's J-band channels.
Evaluated the sensitivity of both channels in detecting non-precipitating and lightly precipitating ice clouds.
Used a new scattering index to differentiate ice clouds based on brightness temperature differences.
The two J-band channels were almost equally effective in detecting ice clouds.
Clear-sky brightness temperatures of both channels were nearly identical within noise levels.
Ice clouds were clearly identified in the new scattering index imagery.

Abstract

CubeSat TROPICS added a J-band channel at 205 GHz to TROPICS Millimeter-wave Sounder (TMS), while conventional Metop-SG satellite added a J-band channel at 229 GHz to its Microwave Sounder (MWS) for detecting small precipitating ice clouds. This study shows that the two J-band channels together can provide sensitivity for detecting non-precipitating and lightly precipitating ice clouds. The weighting functions for the two channels are found to be nearly identical, and their clear-sky brightness temperatures are practically the same within the instrument Noise Equivalent Delta Temperature (NE Δ T). Using a new scattering index, defined as the brightness temperature difference between the two J-band channels, ice clouds are clearly visible in the imagery of the new scattering index.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper