This dataset contains MODIS-derived daily mean shortwave blue sky albedo for northern North America (i.e., Canada and Alaska) and a set of quality control flags for each albedo value to aid in user interpretation. The data cover the period of February 24, 2000 through April 22, 2017. The blue sky albedo data were derived from the MODIS 500-m version 6 Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function and Albedo (BRDF/Albedo) Model Parameters MCD43A1 dataset (MCD43A1.006, https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MCD43A1.006) (Schaaf & Wang, 2015a, please refer to the MCD43 documentation and user guides for more information). Blue sky refers to albedo calculated under real-world conditions with a combination of both diffuse and direct lighting based on atmospheric and view-geometry conditions. Daily mean albedo was calculated by averaging hourly instantaneous blue sky albedo values weighted by the solar insolation for each time interval. Potter et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14888) is the associated paper for this dataset. Note the actual extent of the dataset in Figure 1 of the User Guide. Users are encouraged to refer to the User Guide for further important information about the use of this dataset.