Shortwave IR Window Channel (3.9 micron)

Reflective Properties: Water Clouds in Daytime in the 3.9 and 10.7 Micron Channels (Page 4 of 8)

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Conceptual representations of the interaction of incoming solar radiation at 3.9 microns with thick stratus and thick cirrus; comparison of daytime GOES-8 3.9 and 10.7 micron images of stratus and cirrus associated with a tropical cyclone

As shown by the model in the upper left panel, with the addition of reflected solar radiation, water clouds and the surrounding surfaces appear warmer at 3.9 microns than at 10.7 microns during daytime.

The model in the lower left panel shows a daytime thick cirrus cloud at 3.9 microns.

Notice that the amount of reflected solar energy is much smaller for the ice cloud than for the water cloud.

The 3.9 micron channel image in the upper right and the 10.7 micron channel in the lower right both use the same temperature color enhancement.

Because of reflection, the 3.9 micron image appears warmer than the 10.7 micron image.

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