Satellite image of typhoon in central weather bureau, Taiwan Province Province.

Satellite cloud image (scientific name: satellite cloud image) is an image of cloud cover and surface characteristics observed by meteorological satellites from top to bottom. The received cloud pictures mainly include infrared cloud pictures, visible light cloud pictures and water vapor cloud pictures. Using satellite cloud images, we can identify different weather systems, determine their positions, estimate their intensity and development trend, and provide basis for weather analysis and weather forecast.

In areas lacking meteorological observation stations such as oceans, deserts and plateaus, the information provided by satellite cloud images makes up for the deficiency of conventional detection data and plays an important role in improving the accuracy of forecasting.

It can be seen that the satellite cloud image is made by using the principle that the cloud top reflects sunlight, so it can only be taken during the day. Visible satellite images can show the surface and thickness covered by clouds. Thick clouds have strong reflection ability. On visible satellite images, they will appear bright white, while thin clouds will appear dark gray. They can also be combined with infrared satellite images for more accurate analysis.

Visible light cloud image is a satellite cloud image sensed by scanning radiometer on meteorological satellite (TV camera was used in the early days) and sent to the ground station. The brightness on the image reflects the albedo of the cloud.

Visible cloud images have been widely used to study the movement and development of clouds and cloud systems, and to monitor the occurrence, development and movement of weather systems such as typhoons, and achieved good results. However, because the cloud image is shot in the visible light band, its brightness and hue depend on the nature of the cloud and the solar altitude angle, so it can't be shot at the same elbow at night, so it is limited to some extent.