diff --git a/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_n20_aod.yaml b/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_n20_aod.yaml
index 85a79fdc1..bee4806eb 100644
--- a/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_n20_aod.yaml
+++ b/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_n20_aod.yaml
@@ -24,3 +24,19 @@ obs operator:
     AerosolOption: aerosols_gocart_default
 obs error:
   covariance model: diagonal
+obs filters:
+  - filter: PreQC
+    maxvalue: 1
+  - filter: Bounds Check
+    filter variables:
+    - name: aerosolOpticalDepth
+      channels: 4
+    minvalue: 0
+    action:
+      name: reject
+  - filter: Background Check
+    channels: 4
+    threshold: 3.0
+    action:
+      name: inflate error
+      inflation factor: 3.0
diff --git a/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_npp_aod.yaml b/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_npp_aod.yaml
index d0512ab45..462c0c10e 100644
--- a/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_npp_aod.yaml
+++ b/parm/aero/obs/config/viirs_npp_aod.yaml
@@ -26,4 +26,17 @@ obs error:
   covariance model: diagonal
 obs filters:
   - filter: PreQC
-    maxvalue: 0
+    maxvalue: 1
+  - filter: Bounds Check
+    filter variables:
+    - name: aerosolOpticalDepth
+      channels: 4
+    minvalue: 0
+    action:
+      name: reject
+  - filter: Background Check
+    channels: 4
+    threshold: 3.0
+    action:
+      name: inflate error
+      inflation factor: 3.0