Ground-based and satellite observations of cloud fields in the Netherlands

A study is performed on the combination of ground-based and satellite observations for the derivation of cloud properties. Ground-based measurements from a lidar ceilometer and an infrared radiometer were combined with measurements of the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer and Meteosat satellite instruments. Two case studies are presented: a case with streets of fair weather cumuli and a case with a weak cold front involving cumulus, stratus, and cirrus clouds. From the combination of ground-based and satellite observations, a much better description of the cloud field geometry, cloud base, and cloud top can be obtained than with satellite or gound-based observations alone. The combination of satellite retrievals and lidar-ceilometer measurements is promising. This concept is widely applicable because lidar ceilometers are available on airports all over the world and the used infrared sensors are relatively cheap and can easily be installed. This opens the way for a much improved automatic detection of clouds and their properties.