Which factor can significantly affect the clarity of footage captured by CCTV cameras?

Weather conditions can significantly affect the clarity of footage captured by CCTV cameras due to various environmental factors such as rain, fog, snow, and atmospheric conditions that can obstruct visibility. When weather elements like rain or fog are present, they can create visual obstructions that lead to blurred images or reduced detail in the footage. This degradation in video quality occurs because the camera may struggle to focus and capture clarity when external conditions interfere with the light entering the lens.

While camera resolution, the presence of obstacles, and low frame rates are all factors that can impact video clarity under different circumstances, weather conditions are particularly influential as they directly affect visibility in real-time scenarios. For instance, even a high-resolution camera may struggle to produce clear images if the lens is covered in rain or if heavy fog reduces the light levels and visibility significantly. Thus, considering the impact of weather conditions is vital when evaluating the performance and effectiveness of CCTV systems in varied environments.