Cumulative cloud probability

The cloud probability, in percent, indicates the likelihood of having clouds over a given location when planning future acquisitions. This can be obtained from cloud forecasts or cloud statistics.

Using cloud bitmaps it is possible to estimate the cloud probability on a per pixel basis.

Cumulative cloud probability measures the likelihood of having clouds when planning multiple overlapping swaths over the same location. A lower number means lower probability of failure when planning for an acquisition without clouds.

Two overlapping swaths with cloud probability p1 and p2 will give a cumulative cloud probability of pc = p1 * p2.

In general for N swaths, the cumulative probability would be

Since each pi is lower than 1 the value of pc will be decrease as N increases.

SaVoir is able to display this effect with the cumulative cloud display, in menu Tools / Color maps/ Cumulative cloud % / Statistic , or Forecast.

Cumulative statistical clouds, 1 swath	Cumulative statistical clouds 14 swaths

The cloud probability data is obtained by default from average monthly cloud statistics and contextualized to the swath dates and times (morning or afternoon).

Alternatively, it also possible to use the cloud forecasts, available for the next 16 days.

Cumulative forecasted clouds, 1 swath	Cumulative forecasted clouds, 14 swaths