Synoptic-scale Analysis Using 10.7 µm Imagery
The following loop contains GOES-8 imagery at 10.7 µm over the same mid-latitude
cyclone as previously discussed with the GOES channel 3 (6.7 µm) imagery. Like the
channel 3 example, this loop also shows both the characteristic
comma shape and the cold, high clouds associated with the system. But because 10.7 µm
imagery also reveals surface and low-level flows, and since the 6.7 µm channel is sensitive
to upper-level water vapor, the two channels each depict atmospheric information that the
other cannot. In particular, note that the 10.7 µm channel shows the low-level clouds over
NY, PA, and Quebec. These clouds are not seen at 6.7 µm, as they are low-level features.
This is a good example of using the best of information from more than one of the GOES
Imager's uniquely wavelength-sensitized channels in analyzing a particular environmental condition.
