Snowy Satellite Scene

Satellite image courtesy of NOAA.

Can you see the snow on the ground?

The quality and timeliness of satellite imagery has improved dramatically since the launch of the first GOES satellite on October 16, 1975. The image above was obtained this morning at 1531Z (10:31 a.m. CDT) and it showed snow on the ground from central Iowa and northern Missouri into northwestern Illinois and south and east Wisconsin. The image also has widespread cloudiness over western Iowa into Minnesota and from South Dakota to Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Back to the snow. Take a close look. Snow cover has a much different look than clouds. Snow appears smooth while clouds have a variety of textures. Trees are visible where snow covers the ground, clouds (other than thin cirrus) hide surface features. Snow covered river valleys are visible because trees line the streams. A fresh snow fall over bare ground has a well defined edge where the snow cover ends.

In the photo above notice the blanket of white across Iowa and Wisconsin and nearby areas of Missouri, and Illinois. There is a distinct end to the snow cover on both the north and south sides of the snow area. Notice the path of the storms as outlined by the snow cover. Notice the streams and lakes in the image. The detail is amazing. The photo illustrates how a slight movement in the storm’s path maked a difference in how much snow is received at any location.

Satellite images give us great views of Earth from space and help us identify processes in the atmosphere by noting the shape, thickness, and patterns in the clouds. By comparing the clouds to computer model forecasts we can adjust forecasts based what is seen by the satellite. Satellites, radar, atmospheric soundings, surface observations and other data give forecasters tools to improve weather forecasts.

Read a brief history of the GOES satellite program here.