JAXA Level 2 cloud and precipitation microphysics retrievals based on EarthCARE radar, lidar, and imager: the CPR_CLP, AC_CLP, and ACM_CLP products
Kaori Sato, Hajime Okamoto, Tomoaki Nishizawa, Yoshitaka Jin, Takashi Y. Nakajima, Minrui Wang, Masaki Satoh, Woosub Roh, Hiroshi Ishimoto, Rei Kudo
Abstract
Abstract. This study introduces the primary products and features of active-sensor-based Level 2 cloud microphysics products of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA; i.e., the cloud radar standalone cloud product (CPR_CLP), the radar–lidar synergy cloud product (AC_CLP), and the radar–lidar–imager cloud product (ACM_CLP)). Combined with the 94 GHz Doppler cloud profiling radar (CPR), 355 nm high-spectral-resolution lidar (Atmospheric Lidar, ATLID) and Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI), these products provide a detailed view of the transitions of cloud particle categories and their size distributions. Simulated EarthCARE Level 1 data mimicking actual global observations were used to assess the performance of the JAXA Level 2 cloud microphysics product. Evaluation of the product revealed that the retrievals reasonably reproduced the vertical profile of the modeled microphysics. Further validation of the products is planned for post-launch calibration and validation. Velocity-related JAXA Level 2 products (i.e., CPR_VVL, AC_VVL, and ACM_VVL) such as hydrometeor fall speed and vertical air velocity will be described in a future paper.