The output was a set of images, which would show the changing masking effect by the particular cloud-filtering test through the variation of the incremented parameter value. The optimal value for the tested parameter was then found. Seasonal extremes were not tested. Each image selected for testing contained a large region of the clear ocean with the large temperature gradients of the Gulf Stream as well as a mixture of cloud formations ranging from thin cirrus to thick cumulus clouds. There were 10 programs written to examine 10 cloud-filtering tests used in processing sea surface temperature images at the MSRC satellite retrieval station.
All programs are extremely similar as well as the method used to fine-tune each test.
Section 3 discussed the various cloud-filtering tests as well as the results of the tests done on them. Section 4 concludes with a suggested set of parameters for operational use. To test each cloud-filtering test separately, a UNIX program was written for each test. To operate the test program, the program name is entered on the command line along with the name of the image file with a space in between. If this information is entered incorrectly, an error message will appear displaying the proper format required for operation.