Views of the "comma" shaped cloud system of an extratropical cyclone:
Cold cloud tops in the comma indicate a strong extratropical low.
Cloud tops getting colder indicates a strengthening low.
Some wave clouds over the mountains to our west. Indicative of strong northwest flow; strong downsloping usually seen:
Sometimes contrails can be seen on the visible satellite:
Fog in the river valleys has a characteristic pattern:
Isolated cumulonimbus storms look somewhat like little mushrooms. Clusters of storms can also be seen, as "V" shapes. Overshooting tops are seen on some storms, indicating strong updrafts.
Snow cover is easily seen on the visible satellite -- terrain features are visible, making it distinct from clouds.
Jet streams often have high clouds associated with them. A jet streak nosing into our area is seen on the visible satellite. It triggers an outbreak of storms along a front. The high clouds helped "now-cast" the outbreak. Note we are on the Left Front Quadrant (LFQ) of the jet streak. More info at: xxx
Satellite imagery is valuable over the oceans, where data is limited. This is especially true for tropical storms. The tropical storm has the characteristic "swirl" pattern. Cold cloud tops on the IR image indicates a strong cyclone; falling cloud top temperatures indicate a strengthening storm.
