Satellites

Introduction to weather satellites

Weather satellites obtain information about atmospheric phenomena via "remote sensing". By looking at energy waves, we can learn a lot about a subject or object without actually being in direct contact with it.

In the National Weather Service, devices sensitive to electromagnetic energy are used to detect and measure weather phenomena. The two main types of remote sensing are:

Remote sensing via satellites provides a unique perspective from which to observe large regions. These sensors can measure energy at wavelengths beyond the range of human vision.

In this section, we will discover the various satellite views that the National Weather Service uses to help derive forecasts, weather watches, and warnings.

Current GOES-East satellite image. Daytime: (almost) true color image. Nighttime: infrared image.