MODIS Aqua L3: Monthly and Annual Low-Cloud Type Frequency at 2x2 Degree Resolution

Six low-cloud types are classified, including Closed-cellular MCC and Solid Stratus. This beta product from NASA's MODIS Aqua satellite aggregates occurrence frequency for the year 2007 at monthly and annual intervals. The data covers a global 2.0° x 2.0° grid between 60°S-60°N and 180°W-180°E.

Use Cases

• Classifying low-cloud types based on the six defined categories (e.g., Closed-cellular MCC, Suppressed Cumulus)
• Analyzing seasonal cloud patterns based on monthly aggregated occurrence frequency data
• Mapping global cloud distribution based on the 2x2 degree geospatial grid
• Validating climate models using satellite-derived cloud type frequency for the year 2007

Strengths

• Data is derived from NASA's MODIS Aqua satellite, a trusted source for Earth observation
• Covers a global spatial range from 60°S to 60°N and 180°W to 180°E
• Provides aggregated data at both monthly and annual intervals for the year 2007

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from MODIS Aqua L2 cloud products (MYD_L2_CB and MYD_L2_MPLCT) using an object-oriented approach from the 2017 MEaSUREs project.

Time Range

2007

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:57:45.348791; freshness should be verified

Geography

Global, 60°S-60°N, 180°W-180°E