Total Cloud Cover (TCC)

Interactive map with scientific data analysis, point lookup, and detailed environmental information

Map Information

his dataset represents mean cloud cover fraction, ranging from 0 (clear sky) to 1 (fully overcast). Cloud cover strongly influences solar attenuation and variability.

Data Source:
Environmental Data
Units:
Fraction (0–1)
Coverage:
GLOBAL
Citation:
Mazzella, J. (2026). Total Cloud Cover Raster, 2020–2024. AtmosphericIQ LLC / Engineering Director, Inc. Derived from ERA5 TCC. Hersbach et al., 2020 — ERA5 Reanalysis
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Interactive Environmental Data Map
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Location Analysis
Technical Specifications

Total Cloud Cover (TCC) – Mean Cloud Fraction

Global | ~1 km Resolution | 2020–2024

Short Description

This dataset represents the spatial distribution of total cloud cover (TCC), expressed as a fraction from 0 (clear sky) to 1 (fully overcast). Cloud cover strongly influences solar radiation attenuation and variability.

Technical Specification

The dataset is derived from ERA5 total cloud cover (TCC) fields and represents mean cloud fraction for the period 2020–2024.

ERA5 hourly cloud cover values were aggregated across the 2020–2024 period to produce a multi-year climatological mean.

This dataset is developed by AtmosphericIQ LLC and processed for distribution and deployment by Engineering Director, Inc.

Key Characteristics

  • Units: fraction (0–1)
  • Represents total cloud cover under all-sky conditions
  • Derived from ERA5 TCC fields
  • Represents climatological mean conditions for 2020–2024

Spatial Characteristics

  • Coordinate System: GCS_WGS_1984
  • Native Resolution: ~0.25°
  • Resampled Resolution: ~1 km (30 arc-second)
  • Coverage: Global (±85.0511° for web compatibility)

Role in SSI™ Model

Total Cloud Cover (TCC) is one of several atmospheric variables incorporated into the Solar Suitability Index (SSI™) model developed by AtmosphericIQ LLC.

As a primary driver of solar attenuation, cloud cover reduces incoming solar radiation and introduces temporal variability, influencing the overall SSI™ suitability scoring framework.

This dataset is provided as a supporting climatic input layer and does not independently represent solar suitability.

Applications

  • Solar resource variability analysis
  • Atmospheric and climatological modeling
  • Environmental and exposure assessment
  • Geospatial screening workflows

Data Source

Derived from Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) ERA5 reanalysis data, with processing including temporal aggregation (2020–2024), spatial resampling to ~1 km resolution, and web-compatible clipping.

Related SSI™ Dataset

This dataset is a supporting climatic input to the Solar Suitability Index (SSI™), a global multi-parameter model developed by AtmosphericIQ LLC.

For the full solar suitability model and derived classification datasets, see:
Global Solar Suitability Index (SSI™) – Continuous Score (1–100)

Data Access & API Services

This dataset is available through Engineering Director, Inc. platforms:
www.engineeringdirector.com

Use beyond visualization, including API access, automated queries, or integration, is subject to the Engineering Director API Terms of Service.

Legal & Licensing

© 2026 AtmosphericIQ LLC and Engineering Director, Inc. All rights reserved.

This dataset is provided for informational and analytical use only and is supplied "as is" without warranty of any kind. Users assume all risk associated with its use.

Data Distribution Analysis

These histograms show the distribution of pixel values across the entire raster dataset, helping you understand the range and frequency of different measurements.

Linear Scale Distribution
Shows the actual frequency distribution of values using a standard linear scale.
Logarithmic Scale Distribution
Shows the same data using a logarithmic scale, making it easier to see patterns in data with large value ranges.