What does the white on the satellite cloud mean?

White represents clouds on satellite images.

Satellite cloud image is an image of cloud cover and surface characteristics on the earth observed by meteorological satellites from top to bottom. 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.

Satellite observation of the earth has become an indispensable source of information in today's world. Meteorological satellites photograph the earth's surface from different positions in space, and a large number of observation data are transmitted back to the ground workstation through satellites; Then synthesize beautiful cloud photos. People can not only receive visible light cloud images, but also receive satellite photos of other bands, such as infrared cloud images, by using appropriate photosensitive instruments.

The types, genera and precipitation of clouds can be identified by the characteristics of satellite cloud images such as morphology, structure, brightness and texture. It can identify large-scale cloud systems, such as spirals, bands, comma, waves and cells, and can be used to infer the position and characteristics of large-scale weather systems such as fronts, temperate cyclones, tropical storms and high-altitude jets. According to the cloudless area of clear Wan Li, the positions of anticyclone and high altitude ridge are inferred.

It can also identify local strong storms, such as thunderstorms, squall lines and other small and medium-sized weather systems. If we indicate the number of encrypted satellite detection (such as once every 30 minutes), we can monitor the activities of local strong storms and make real-time weather forecast and early warning. For the vast ocean, plateau, desert and polar regions with few weather stations, satellite cloud images are very precious detection data.

In areas with dense weather stations, the images given are relatively complete and systematic, which can not be replaced by other observation methods. Some new cloud systems have been discovered from satellite images. Such as cellular cloud system, cloud street, tropical cloud cluster, etc.