How is the cloud cover calculated, and why are some scenes cloudy when the cloud cover is reported to be 0%? <!-- remote sensing -->
Home >FAQ
USGS Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
How is the cloud cover calculated, and why are some scenes cloudy when the cloud cover is reported to be 0%?
Answer:
The cloud cover index is an automated calculation which may provide a useful estimate, but the algorithm is not always accurate when it encounters snow, ice, water, or other unusual scene content. Haze, thin clouds, and small clouds ("popcorn") can frequently be missed in the cloud cover assessment.
