1. Cloud types as identified from Space
Visible
Infrared
Water Vapor
Fog and
Stratus
Appear relatively bright, have sharp boundaries and amorphous structure. Can have fine-scale structure in high res.
Difficult to distinguish from under-lying surface since they have temperatures close to the surface temperatures
Cannot be detected at all
Cumulus
Appear bright. Due to vertical development can exhibit ‘texture’. Sharp boundaries with clear air. Large cumulus, supercells have an anvil in oval or tear-drop shape
If have larger vertical extent, can appear very bright and cold. Use IR to examine cloud-top structure. MCC’s, supercells, oval shape
Only cumulus that are very deep can be detected (can’t ‘see’ fair-weather cumulus). Appear whiter than surrounding water vapor.
Cirrus
Appear fibrous and semi-transparent unless overlying other clouds. Not very bright
Appear bright and cold and can be mistaken for ‘thick’ clouds.
Can detect cirrus that is with convection, otherwise cannot be detected easily.

2. Fog from Space
Visible Image – Fog easily distinguished as relatively bright clouds conforming to terrain structure
Water Vapor Image – Can’t see fog at all
IR Image – Fog very hard to distinguish from underlying surface especially over the ocean

3. Convection in Visible Imagery
Anvils and Convective bubbles
Fair Weather Cu

4. Convection in IR imagery
Anvils very bright and cold

5. Convection in IR imagery

6. Convection in Water Vapor Imagery
Anvils and tall Cu appear bright due to emission by cloud hydrometeors
Water Vapor Gradient

7. Cirrus in Satellite Imagery
But bright in IR
And in Water Vapor
Cirrus is thin and semi-transparent in visible