Clear Sky Radiance (CSR) Product from MTSAT-1R

The Meteorological Satellite Center (MSC) has developed a Clear Sky Radiance (CSR) product from MTSAT-1R and has been disseminating the CSR product to operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers since August 2006. The CSR product provides area average radiances and brightness temperatures for cloud-free pixels. The cloud detection algorithm is based on a threshold technique and determines whether a pixel is clear or cloudy. The CSR is determined for each 16 x 16 pixel segment, which corresponds to approximately 60 x 60 km 2 resolution at the sub-satellite point. This product will be useful for the assimilation into NWP models and also for the assessment of the quality of modeled land surface temperature.