| The retrieval of cloud top pressure (CTP) and effective cloud fraction (ECF) from the AIRS instrument via the CO2 slicing technique has been compared to similar instruments, including GOES and MODIS, and a different retrieval method, the infrared window lookup technique. The application of the technique to the AIRS instrument is investigated both in simulated and observed data for two AIRS channel subsets. The results indicate an improvement in cloud height assignment due to the selective use of additional AIRS channels that provide better sensitivity to vertical variations in cloud top pressure, particularly for low clouds and for low values of ECF. |
