Use of the GOES 3.9 micron shortwave IR channel to detect snow vs. cloud

This 2-image Java applet may take a minute or so to load...

Hold any mouse button down as you move the cursor over the southeastern portion of Nebraska (or along the Wisconsin-Illinois border) on the large visible image. Notice on the corresponding 3.9 micron shortwave IR image (inset) the patches of low stratus cloud (darker gray) located over the snow pack (lighter gray).

Java(tm) applet developed by Tom Whittaker (SSEC / CIMSS)

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