Using Imagery from both GOES-8 and GOES-9

GOES-9 Imagery

Earlier in the tutorial, loops of a shortwave moving over the Rocky Mountains, which most likely aided in the initiation of thunderstorms in eastern CO and the OK panhandle, were shown. This shortwave, as seen in the GOES-8 loop, provides an example of the advantages of using information from more than one goestationary satellite. The GOES-9 loop clearly shows the hourly progression of the shortwave from 1330 to 2030 UTC, on 31 May 1996. The GOES-8 loop contains images taken at roughly the same time as the GOES-9 images. From this vantage point the shortwave is not nearly as apparent as it is from GOES-9. Whenever practical, use GOES-8 and GOES-9 imagery when viewing an area or feature of particular interest.