Cloud Cover Analysis from Satellite Imagery Using Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of the Data

Abstract

New developments of a cloud classification scheme based on histogram clustering by a statistical method are presented. Use of time series of geostationary satellite pictures as well as for construction of composite images representative of the surface properties and then for the identification of significative cloud classes is discussed. Spatial variances are introduced as additional parameters of the classification, with the aim to better separate clouds from the surface and the different kinds of more or less homogeneous cloud classes.