Understanding weather - reading satellite pictures

Pictures of the Australian region – made from data from satellites – are used in newspaper, television, Internet and fax weather and climate forecasts. Usually, the pictures are accompanied by a commentary and significant features are highlighted.

If you understand what these pictures actually show, you can get more information than the commentary provides. It helps you use the pictures to make your own estimates of likely weather for your area.

This illustrated Primefact explains visible and infra-red satellite pictures, the labels and attachments used, how satellite pictures are sometimes modified, and where you can access recent satellite images.