The MODIS/Aqua Cloud Mask and Spectral Test Results 5-Min L2 Swath 250m and 1km product consists of global cloud mask quality assurance and other ancillary parameters. The algorithm employs a series of visible and infrared threshold and consistency tests to specify confidence levels that an unobstructed view of the Earth's surface is observed. An indication of shadows affecting the scene is also provided. The 250-m cloud mask flags are based on the visible channel data only. Radiometrically accurate radiances are required, so holes in the cloud mask will appear wherever the input radiances are incomplete or of poor quality. The shortname for this Level-2 MODIS cloud mask product is MYD35_L2.
The MYD35_L2 product files are stored in Hierarchical Data Format (HDF-EOS). This product consists of 9 parameters and each of these parameters are stored as a Scientific Data Set (SDS) within the HDF-EOS file. The Cloud Mask and Quality Assurance SDS's are stored at 1 kilometer pixel resolution. All other SDS's (those relating to time, geolocation, and viewing geometry) are stored at 5 kilometer pixel resolution.
For more information about the MYD35_L2 product, visit the MODIS-Atmosphere site at:
https://modis-atmos.gsfc.nasa.gov/products/cloud-mask