AVHRR Interim Climate Data Record based on CLARA-A2 methods - Multimission

The Interim Climate Data Record (ICDR) AVHRR provides a routinely generated continuation of the product suite of the CLARA-A2.1 climate data record (CM SAF cLoud, Albedo and RAdiation products - AVHRR-based, edition 2.1, DOI: 10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V002_01), which in turn is an update and extension of the CLARA-A2 climate data record. The ICDR products are generated and published within five days of the corresponding observations. The ICDR AVHRR features a range of cloud, surface albedo and surface radiation products derived from the AVHRR instruments onboard polar orbiting NOAA and METOP satellites, which are consistent with the heritage record CLARA-A2.1. The cloud products comprise cloud fraction, cloud top temperature/pressure/height, cloud thermodynamic phase, and (for liquid and ice clouds separately) cloud optical thickness, cloud particle effective radius and cloud water path. They are available as monthly and daily averages. Surface albedo is presented as monthly and pentad (5 day) averages of the broadband black-sky albedo and is derived using all available data during the studied period. Surface radiation is provided as monthly and daily averages for the downwelling shortwave component. All monthly, pentad and daily averages are available on a 0.25°x0.25° global grid. Surface albedo and cloud products are also provided in two equal area grids with a resolution of 25 km x 25 km covering the polar regions.