Meteorology » Identifying Clouds on Satellite Images
Visiible satellite image of stratocumulus clouds
This is a visible satellite image depicting vortices in stratocumulus clouds downwind of the Guadalupe Islands

Clouds play a crucial role in our global climate. Clouds reflect shortwave solar energy back into space and cool the earth. Clouds also absorb longwave terrestrial radiation and warm the planet. Satellites are helping scientists study this important dynamic.

In this lesson you will learn:

  • How to identify different cloud types on satellite images
  • Some of the physical processes behind cloud formation

Time requirement

This lesson will take you approximately 30 minutes to complete.