Cloud observation with MERIS, MODIS and SEVIRI

Clouds are highly important for the earth weather and climate. They regulate the earth radiation budget and they play a major role in the earth energy and water cycle. Weather satellites starts to observe clouds already in the 60s. Although during the 40 years of space borne cloud observations significant development of instruments have been realised, new developments of cloud retrieval methods and appropriate instruments are still needed. This paper focuses on recent research activities for the remote sensing of cloud top pressure and cloud microphysical properties.