Using Satellite photos and loops to identify clouds

You can look at weather forecasts in the days leading up to the eclipse, but once you get to the morning of the eclipse, you should now be paying more attention to what the weather is actually doing. The purpose of this post is to help you learn how to use satellite photos and loops to identify different types of clouds.

There are various weather satellite sites; I like to use https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/goes/

(you can also see others at https://eclipsophile.com/eclipse-day-weather/ - see under satellites)

On the NOAA GOES site above, click on the map to select your region

Then select the GeoColor option. Select one of the options that say "px" next to it (the numbers determine the resolution of the image; higher is better if your device can handle it)

You are also encouraged to look at one of the animation loops. This will show you how the clouds are moving, and - if you look carefully- if new ones are forming.

So, how can you tell which types of clouds that you are seeing? Are they low clouds, mid level clouds, or high clouds? 

This should help: https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satmet/modules/4_clouds/clouds-1.html#tag

Click the arrows to go between the pages. The cloud imagery (on satellite) starts on page 3. 

(See my reference to each of these types of clouds on my other post titled "Looking at Forecasts: a deeper dive")

Remember the general rules: 

low clouds: if they are cumulus, and they are small, they have a decent chance of dissipating as totality approaches

If they are stratus, and they are already there, they will be unaffected by the shadow and temperature drop. On the other hand, if you have stratus covering the sky in the morning and it starts to break up, it may thicken as the shadow approaches.

mid-level clouds: they will likely be unaffected by the eclipse. If there are lots of them, they may obscure the eclipse, so look for holes.

high clouds: these will be unaffected by the eclipse, so it's best to look for areas that have thinner layers of high clouds (and go to one if you can)

Note: "unaffected by the eclipse" means that the temperature drop will not dissipate those types of clouds or form new ones. The clouds will still be moving, though.

Remember, as you are looking at satellite photos and loops on eclipse day:

1. check frequently: clouds can form from a clear sky

2. look at the motion of the clouds: Remember, it's not where the clouds are now, but where will they be at eclipse time

3. At some point, it's just best to go purely visual: step outside and see what the skies are doing. You can use satellite photos and loops to see what is going on outside of your visual range (and early in the morning to get an idea of what's happening.)

That's the topic of my next post.....


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