Why can satellite cloud pictures be used to forecast the weather?

1on April 2, 960, American scientists photographed the clouds above the earth for the first time with artificial satellites. So why can satellite images predict the weather? Every night, TV programs will broadcast the weather forecast released by the Central Meteorological Observatory. At first, there will be a live broadcast of the national cloud map. This cloud image is a satellite cloud image sent by a meteorological satellite.

Satellite cloud picture has been widely used in weather forecast and is an ideal forecasting tool. Different weather is related to different weather systems. For example, low pressure often brings clouds and rain, and high pressure areas are often sunny. Different weather systems have different cloud system characteristics, and the shape, structure and brightness of clouds are also different. For example, when cold air moves south, the cloud system is generally banded, the typhoon system is generally spiral, and there is generally no dense cloud system over the high pressure area. So satellite cloud images are like images of some kind of weather system. According to the distribution of various cloud systems on satellite images, we can know the distribution of meteorological systems. Knowing the distribution of the weather system, it is easy to predict the future weather conditions.

It is an ideal method to search for typhoons by using satellite cloud images. In the past, due to the lack of marine weather stations, it was often impossible to find typhoons in time and know their exact location, so it was difficult to predict the development trend of typhoons. Now with meteorological satellites, you can have a bird's eye view of the earth from high altitude and take pictures constantly. Because the typhoon system has the feature that the spiral cloud belt rotates towards the center, once such a cloud system is found on the satellite cloud image, it can be known that there is a typhoon there. In addition, the typhoon will be reflected in the satellite cloud picture at the beginning of its formation, and then the plane will be sent to detect it, which not only saves the cost, but also can find the typhoon in advance. In the past 20 years, typhoons in the global tropical ocean have never escaped the sharp eyes of meteorological satellites recorded on satellite cloud images. According to the satellite images taken continuously at different times, we can infer the direction and speed of typhoon movement and the development and change of typhoon movement.

In addition, satellite cloud images have strong monitoring ability for severe convective weather. Because of its small scope and short life span, these weather systems, such as severe thunderstorms and hail, take only a few hours from occurrence to disappearance. In most cases, general detection methods are not available. Therefore, it is very difficult to observe and forecast these weather systems. In the past, people mainly relied on radar to monitor them. However, due to the limited density and detection range of radar stations, an alarm can only be issued two or three hours in advance. Now with satellite cloud images, the prediction of small-scale severe convective storms is more reliable.

Meteorological satellites can provide meteorological support for aviation departments. When flying, planes often pass through areas with few meteorological observation stations. For these areas, satellites can provide timely meteorological information. According to the satellite cloud picture, the commander can provide the basis for the weather forecast of the route, and can also decide whether to take off and when to close the airport according to the satellite cloud picture. The navy can use satellite cloud images to avoid strong storm areas, choose relatively calm sea areas as replenishment and personnel assembly points, and also find hidden cloud areas.

Meteorological satellite photos provide a lot of information and make people gain a lot of new knowledge. The development of these theories can further improve the timeliness and quality of weather forecast.