Snow Cover on satellite

Check out this true-color image from the NASA Terra/MODIS satellite, taken as the satellite flew over the Louisiana Gulf Coast around 10:45 am CST (1645 UTC) this morning.

Note that the satellite picture is taken from the side, and shows the curvature of the earth. Notice how Florida is almost out of the picture. These satellites are not geo-synchronous (like the main weather satellites), meaning they don’t stay in place over the same area all the time. They are much closer to the earth.

You can see the snow cover still on the ground in Arkansas and Tennessee very nicely. A good way to tell the difference between snow and clouds is that you can see the rivers in the snow cover. You can also see the beach from Mississippi to NW Florida, and the silt from the Alabama and other rivers flowing into the Gulf out of Mobile bay, due to recent rains in Alabama. Also notice the clouds forming as cold air flows over the warm Gulf. Cool!

Category: Met 101/Weather History