NOAA-20 VIIRS Near Real-Time Cloud Mask at 750m Resolution

NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite data from 2026 provides a Level-2 cloud mask product with a nominal 750-meter spatial resolution. This dataset is generated by the MODIS-VIIRS cloud mask continuity algorithm, designed to sustain long-term records from MODIS and VIIRS satellite heritages. It is produced by ASIPS using calibration-adjusted NASA VIIRS L1B inputs and is available in near real-time.

Use Cases

• Cloud detection and classification using spectral band data from the VIIRS instrument.
• Climate model validation by comparing observed cloud coverage with model predictions.
• Atmospheric research on cloud properties and their role in Earth's energy budget.
• Continuity analysis for long-term cloud records bridging MODIS and VIIRS satellite missions.
• Near real-time environmental monitoring for applications in weather forecasting.

Strengths

• Provides continuity with long-term MODIS and VIIRS cloud records via the MVCM algorithm.
• Offers a high nominal spatial resolution of 750 meters for detailed analysis.
• Available in near real-time (NRT) for timely environmental monitoring.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA EarthData and Data.gov indicates established importance and accessibility.

Limitations

• Specific column names, dataset size, and row counts are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on license details, with one specifying 'other-license-specified' and another listing 'None'.
• The temporal coverage is only implied by the last update date; the full historical range is unknown.

Provenance

Source

ASIPS, using NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite data and NASA VIIRS L1B inputs.

Collection Method

Derived using the MODIS-VIIRS cloud mask (MVCM) continuity algorithm, based on the MODIS MOD35 algorithm.

Time Range

Implied coverage includes data up to March 2026, but the start date is unknown.

Freshness

2026-03-12 19:59:48.031658

Geography

Global swath coverage from the NOAA-20 satellite's polar orbit.