Mountain waves over the Southwestern US
MODIS 6.7 µm water vapor image + GOES-13 6.5 µm water vapor image
AWIPS images of the 1-km resolution MODIS 6.7 µm water vapor channel and the 4-km resolution GOES-13 water vapor channel data on 09 September 2010 (above) is another great example that demonstrates how an improvement in spatial resolution leads to a dramatic improvement in the ability to detect the total areal coverage of mountain wave signatures on water vapor imagery.
Overlays of RUC model wind speeds (below) indicated that a 105-knot upper level jet was located over the region — these strong winds were interacting with the complex terrain of the Rocky Mountains to produce the widespread mountain waves.
MODIS water vapor image + RUC model wind speeds