Evaluation of the diurnal cycle of model predicted cloud properties using MSG-SEVIRI observations

The evaluation of the diurnal cycle of cloud properties as predicted by climate models receives relatively little attention, mostly due to the lack of observational data. The Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI)onboard the geostationary METEOSAT-8 satellite is the first instrument able to provide accurate information on diurnal cycles during daylight hours of cloud properties over land and ocean surfaces. This paper evaluates the diurnal cycle of Cloud Amount (CA), Cloud Phase (CPH) and Condensed Water Path (CWP) as predicted by the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO), using corresponding SEVIRI retrievals.