Global analysis of vertical motion and cloud properties by using EarthCARE

Doppler velocity inside clouds is measured from space for the first time by Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) onboard Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE). The EarthCARE JAXA Level 2 cloud products are derived from CPR, 355-nm high-spectral-resolution lidar (ATLID) and Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI). The CPR standalone cloud product (CPR_CLP) and the CPR-ATLID synergy product (AC_CLP) were released to the public in March 2025. Version up of these two products as well as CPR-ATLID-MSI synergy product (ACM_CLP) were released in December 2025. These products include cloud mask, height resolved cloud particle types, cloud particle habits, cloud/precipitation microphysics, terminal velocity of cloud and precipitation particles and vertical air motion.

This paper presents global analysis of cloud microphysics and vertical velocity by using EarthCARE data. We demonstrate how such information is used to enhance our understanding of cloud formation. Comparisons with existing global products were also conducted. The retrieved cloud and vertical motion were also used to evaluate high resolution numerical models.