PACE OCI Level-2 Regional Cloud Mask - Near Real-time (NRT) Data, version 3.1

As such, the inputs and the calibration used are less than optimal. Near real-time products provide a snapshot of the data during a short time period within a single orbit.

The Cloud Mask identifies whether pixels are cloud-covered or not. This is important because algorithms to determine cloud properties should only run on cloudy pixels, and other algorithms that require clear-sky pixels need to screen clouds out. In practice, users apply cloud_flag for strict cloud removal and cloud_flag_dilated when they want a conservative mask that reduces cloud-edge artifacts in downstream products (e.g., Rrs, chlorophyll).