Cloud Masking

Purpose

Explain why clouds, shadows, haze, and atmospheric artifacts must be handled before interpreting optical imagery.

Outline

• Cloud, shadow, haze, snow, and bright surface confusion
• Quality bands, probability layers, and spectral tests
• Masking versus weighting uncertain observations
• Effects of masking on composites and time series
• Checking masks visually and statistically

Later Examples

• Comparing an image before and after cloud masking
• Building a clear-pixel composite from multiple dates
• Reviewing common false positives in cloud masks