Dust Animated

Advancing duststorm data animation, 12-2-2022 (credit: GOES-16/NOAA)

The Earth monitoring satellite GOES-16 captured a storm front moving off the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and flowing into Kansas. According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Organization (NOAA) the true-color images showed a fast moving line of dust (in tan) being forced by a strong cold front moving southeast from the mountains and advancing into the High Plains. The blowing dust reduced surface visibility to 1-2 miles at some locations. Wind gusts generated by the front ranged in speeds from 50-90mph depending on the affected Colorado counties. The satellite images were used to create a photo-animation that visualizes the wind speed and other gathered data. GOES sensors are capable of viewing lightening strikes in moving weather fronts help in potential fire forecasting.

       GOES lightening map, 12-6-2022 (credit: GOES/NOAA)

The GOES suite of NOAA's environmental monitors is a good example of how advanced remote sensing technology is now being applied to weather and storm warning predictions. WHB

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