Satellite images

A quick guide to satellite images

Satellite weather images are similar to photos you would take with a normal camera if you happened to be orbiting the planet.

The only difference is that by using frequencies outside the spectrum of visible light they can take images in complete darkness and show much more than a normal photo. The most common non-visible frequencies used by satellites are infrared (measuring heat) or water vapour (measuring cloud density).

What do they tell us ?

They're an overview, a rough guide as to what's going on. They clearly show the storms (as spirals of white cloud) and settled areas of high pressure (those with no cloud).

European infrared satellite image from the EUMETSAT / Met Office
European satellite image with pressure overlay, from the BBC here

The latest infrared satellite image from France Meteo

The latest Northwest Atlantic satellite image from USA Today

The latest entire Atlantic satellite image, from Weathermatrix
 

Check out other types of weather charts here :