CASCCAD: Cumulus And Stratocumulus Cloudsat-CAlipso Dataset

In these two datasets, we document spatial distributions and profiles of stratocumulus (Sc) and cumulus (Cu) clouds on a global scale.

To this end, we design an original discrimination algorithm (DA) that distinguishes Sc and Cu based on three observable cloud-properties: cloud top height (CTH), horizontal cloud fraction (HCF) and vertical cloud fraction variability (VCF). These simple criteria are sufficient to characterize the distinctive shape of Cu, which have a limited horizontal extent and highly variable CTH as opposed to Sc, which cover larger areas and have a small and stable geometrical thickness. The DA is utilized on instantaneous profiles of active-sensor Cloud-Aerosols Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), specifically the General Circulation Model - Oriented CALIPSO Cloud Product (CALIPSO-GOCCP), and CloudSat-CALIPSO combined observations.

By documenting the geographical distribution of Sc and Cu clouds, these datasets make it possible to evaluate the shallow convection (Cu type) and boundary layer (Sc type) clouds in state-of-the art climate models, which are typically generated by distinct parametrizations.