Comparison of Satellite-Deduced Cloud Heights with Indications from Radiosonde and Ground-Based Laser Measurements

Cloud altitudes specified from the Infrared Temperature Profile Radiometer on the Nimbus 5 satellite are compared with simultaneous observations by radiosonde and ground-based ranging measurements conducted with the lidar system at CSIRO in Aspendale, Victoria, Australia, during September 1976. The results show that the cloud altitudes deduced by the CO2 channel absorption method are in general agreement with the lidar and radiosonde determinations, regardless of the cloud opacity and amount.