Observations

Question 1

Geo Stationary

Answer 1

High Orbit
Over the equator
+ Good coverage at low latitudes
+ Detects large scale image
- poor coverage at high latitudes
- poor resolution due to distance from surface

Question 2

Polar Orbiting Satellite

Answer 2

Low earth orbit passing over the poles
850km above surface
Image transmitted in swatches
+ Multiple satellites for better coverage
+ Good resolution due to proximity to surface
+ Good coverage at all latitudes

Useful for identifying cloud and frontal systems

Question 3

Visible images - Satellites

Answer 3

Based on reflected sunlight
Useful for cloud patterns/weather fronts
- only see in daylight hours
- thick clouds hard to detect
- thin clouds are harder to detected
- Low/high clouds hard to distinguish
- CAT not detected

Question 4

Infrared - satellite

Answer 4

Detects heat energy
Low energy (cold air) - white
High energy (warm air) - grey
+ can be seen day and night
- difficult to detect fog (inversions etc)

Question 5

Ground Based Weather Radar

Answer 5

Detects water droplets

Red = strong
Yellow = moderate
Blue/green = weak

Question 6

Airborne Weather Radar

Answer 6

Detects water droplets from AC
Tilt control/auto scanning feature on modern AC

Question 7

Blind Alley Effect

Answer 7

Black areas/shadows do not indicate no precipitation just being blocked by precipitation in front

Question 8

Lightning Detectors - Stomscope/Strike Finder

Answer 8

Detects lightning on light AC

Question 9

Satellite Images Purpose

Answer 9

Monitor the weather and climate of the earth.

Help forecast weather over the next 12,24,36 hours

To locate weather that is present in area with no or few observation stations