Determination of cloud microphysical properties from AVHRR images: comparisons of three approaches

This contribution to the EUCREX mission 206 series aims at evaluating the performances of three methods considered for the retrieval of cloud microphysical properties (optical depth, droplet effective radius and liquid water path (LWP)) from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite images. These procedures, namely a set of empirical parameterizations, a physically based inversion code, and a neuronal approach, are tested with the mission 206 case study. The influence of horizontal averaging on the retrieved cloud properties is also investigated to assess the limitations of the comparison between satellite observations and aircraft measurements performed at a smaller scale.