chapter 6 – cloud development and forms. cloud formation condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results...
TRANSCRIPT
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Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms
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Cloud Formation
• Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:
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Cloud Formation
• Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:• Diabatic cooling (important for fog)
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Cloud Formation
• Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:• Diabatic cooling (important for fog)• Adiabatic cooling (important for clouds)
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Cloud Formation
• Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:• Diabatic cooling (important for fog)• Adiabatic cooling (important for clouds)
• Clouds form due to adiabatic cooling in rising air
Γd = 9.8oC/km (unsaturated lapse rate)
Γm ~ 5oC/km (saturated lapse rate)
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How Does Air Rise?
• 4 mechanisms cause air to rise:
1) Orographic lift – air that rises
because it is going over a mountain
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How Does Air Rise?
• 4 mechanisms cause air to rise:
1) Orographic lift – air that rises
because it is going over a mountain
2) Frontal lift – air that rises at a front
![Page 8: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
How Does Air Rise?
• 4 mechanisms cause air to rise:
1) Orographic lift – air that rises
because it is going over a mountain
2) Frontal lift – air that rises at a front
3) Horizontal convergence – air that
is forced to rise because it is
converging
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How Does Air Rise?• 4 mechanisms cause air to rise:
1) Orographic lift – air that rises
because it is going over a mountain
2) Frontal lift – air that rises at a front
3) Horizontal convergence – air that
is forced to rise because it is
converging
4) Convection – air that rises because
it is less dense that its surroundings
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Orographic Lift
• Air rises as it approaches a mountain peak
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Orographic Lift
• Air rises as it approaches a mountain peak
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Orographic Lift
• Air descends after it goes over a mountain peak
Clear air
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Rain Shadow
• A rain shadow is an area of less precipitation and clouds on the downwind side of a mountain (the anti-cloud!)
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Rain Shadow
• A rain shadow is an area of less precipitation and clouds on the downwind side of a mountain (the anti-cloud!)
• Air descends downwind of a mountain peak
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Rain Shadow
• A rain shadow is an area of less precipitation and clouds on the downwind side of a mountain (the anti-cloud!)
• Air descends downwind of a mountain peak• Air warms adiabatically due to compression
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Rain Shadow
• A rain shadow is an area of less precipitation and clouds on the downwind side of a mountain (the anti-cloud!)
• Air descends downwind of a mountain peak• Air warms adiabatically due to compression• Precipitation and clouds evaporate to form
rain shadow
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Rain Shadow
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Frontal Lifting
• Front – a zone of rapidly changing temperature (strong temperature gradient)
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Frontal Lifting
• Front – a zone of rapidly changing temperature (strong temperature gradient)
Types of Fronts
1) Cold Front – cold air is advancing
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Frontal Lifting
• Front – a zone of rapidly changing temperature (strong temperature gradient)
Types of Fronts
1) Cold Front – cold air is advancing
2) Warm Front – warm air is advancing
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Frontal Lifting
• Front – a zone of rapidly changing temperature (strong temperature gradient)
Types of Fronts
1) Cold Front – cold air is advancing
2) Warm Front – warm air is advancing
3) Stationary Front – front isn’t moving
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Frontal Lifting
• Front – a zone of rapidly changing temperature (strong temperature gradient)
Types of Fronts
1) Cold Front – cold air is advancing
2) Warm Front – warm air is advancing
3) Stationary Front – front isn’t moving
4) Occluded Front – you’ll find out later
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Frontal Lifting
Example of a cold front
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Frontal Lifting
Cold Front(cold air pushes warm air up)
Warm Front(Warm air overruns cold air)
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Convergence
• Air must rise when it converges
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Convergence
• Air must rise when it converges
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Convection
• Air “bubbles” or “parcels” rise when they are warmed and become less dense than their surroundings (exactly the same way a helium balloon does)
2km
T = 11oC
T = -8.6oC
T = 1.2oC1km
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Convection
• Air “bubbles” or “parcels” rise when they are warmed and become less dense than their surroundings (exactly the same way a helium balloon does)
• This is how
thunderstorms form!
2km
T = 11oC
T = -8.6oC
T = 1.2oC1km
![Page 29: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Atmospheric Stability
• Atmospheric stability – a measure of the atmosphere’s susceptibility to vertical motion
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Atmospheric Stability
• Atmospheric stability – a measure of the atmosphere’s susceptibility to vertical motion
• Atmospheric stability depends on the environmental lapse rate (Γe)
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Atmospheric Stability
• Atmospheric stability – a measure of the atmosphere’s susceptibility to vertical motion
• Atmospheric stability depends on the environmental lapse rate (Γe)
• Atmospheric stability comes in 3 flavors:
1) Absolutely stable
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Atmospheric Stability
• Atmospheric stability – a measure of the atmosphere’s susceptibility to vertical motion
• Atmospheric stability depends on the environmental lapse rate (Γe)
• Atmospheric stability comes in 3 flavors:
1) Absolutely stable
2) Absolutely unstable
![Page 33: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Atmospheric Stability
• Atmospheric stability – a measure of the atmosphere’s susceptibility to vertical motion
• Atmospheric stability depends on the environmental lapse rate (Γe)
• Atmospheric stability comes in 3 flavors:
1) Absolutely stable
2) Absolutely unstable
3) Conditionally unstable
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Absolutely Unstable Air
The slightest nudge sends the ball accelerating away…
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Absolutely Unstable Air
• Absolutely unstable: Γe > Γd (unsaturated air)
Γe = 1.5oC/100m
Γd = 1.0oC/100m
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Absolutely Unstable Air
• Absolutely unstable: Γe > Γm (saturated air)
Γe = 1.5oC/100m
Γm = 0.5oC/100m
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Absolutely Stable Air
Any push and the ball will go back to the valley and come to rest again…
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Absolutely Stable Air
Γm = 0.5oC/100m
Γe = 0.2oC/100m
Γd = 1.0oC/100m
Γe = 0.2oC/100m
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Conditionally Unstable Air
If the ball is pushed high enough, it will go over the hump and accelerate away… (otherwise it comes back to rest)
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Conditionally Unstable Air
Γm = 0.5oC/100m
Γe = 0.7oC/100m
Γd = 1.0oC/100m
Γe = 0.7oC/100m
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Stability Summary
• Absolutely unstable:
Γe > both Γd and Γm
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Stability Summary
• Absolutely unstable:
Γe > both Γd and Γm
• Absoutely stable:
Γe < both Γd and Γm
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Stability Summary
• Absolutely unstable:
Γe > both Γd and Γm
• Absoutely stable:
Γe < both Γd and Γm
• Conditionally unstable
Γd > Γe > Γm
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Absolutely Unstable
Γd – green solid line
Γm – blue dashed line
Γe – black solid line
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Absolutely Stable
Γd – green solid line
Γm – blue dashed line
Γe – black solid line
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Conditionally Unstable
Γd – green solid line
Γm – blue dashed line
Γe – black solid line
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What Makes the Environmental Lapse Rate (Γe)?
• Γe is extremely variable in space and time
(like AMA vs. MAF soundings!)
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What Makes the Environmental Lapse Rate (Γe)?
• Γe is extremely variable in space and time
(like AMA vs. MAF soundings!)
• Γe is influenced by 3 factors:
1) Near surface heating/cooling
![Page 49: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
What Makes the Environmental Lapse Rate (Γe)?
• Γe is extremely variable in space and time
(like AMA vs. MAF soundings!)
• Γe is influenced by 3 factors:
1) Near surface heating/cooling
2) Differential temperature advection
![Page 50: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
What Makes the Environmental Lapse Rate (Γe)?
• Γe is extremely variable in space and time
(like AMA vs. MAF soundings!)
• Γe is influenced by 3 factors:
1) Near surface heating/cooling
2) Differential temperature advection
3) Air mass replacement
![Page 51: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Surface Heating and Cooling
• Γe in the lower atmosphere changes with daytime heating and nighttime cooling
![Page 52: Chapter 6 – Cloud Development and Forms. Cloud Formation Condensation (i.e. clouds,fog) results from:](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022012913/56649e435503460f94b36d2f/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Differential Temperature Advection
• Γe can change if temperature advection changes with height
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Air Mass Replacement
• Γe can change if an entirely new air mass moves into an area
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Limitations on Convection
• What stops vertical motion?
- The only “stopper” is if air becomes more
dense (colder) than its surroundings!!
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Limitations on Convection
• What stops vertical motion?
- The only “stopper” is if air becomes more
dense (colder) than its surroundings!!
• This happens in 2 ways:
1) Stable air aloft
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Limitations on Convection
• What stops vertical motion?
- The only “stopper” is if air becomes more
dense (colder) than its surroundings!!
• This happens in 2 ways:
1) Stable air aloft
2) Entrainment – intake of drier air
from surroundings
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Convection
• Lifting condensation level (LCL) – The level at which a cloud forms (altitude of cloud base)
• Level of Free Convection (LFC) – the level at which air becomes less dense (warmer) than its surroundings
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Stable Air Aloft (Dry Example)
Γd – green solid line
Γe – black solid line
Air is accelerating up
Air stops accelerating
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Inversions – Extremely Stable Air
• Inversion – when temperature increases with height
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Inversions
Γd – green solid line
Γm – blue dashed line
Γe – black solid line
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Types of Inversions
1) Radiation inversion – caused by
nighttime cooling of surface air
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Types of Inversions
2) Frontal inversion – occurs at fronts
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Types of Inversions
3) Subsidence inversion – caused by
sinking air above a static layer
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Inversions and Agriculture
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Entrainment
• Mixing with surrounding drier, cooler air cools rising parcels through:
1) Mixing
2) Evaporation
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Cloud Types
Old classification of clouds
1) Cirrus (high, thin, wispy)
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Cloud Types
Old classification of clouds
1) Cirrus (high, thin, wispy)
2) Stratus (layered)
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Cloud Types
Old classification of clouds
1) Cirrus (high, thin, wispy)
2) Stratus (layered)
3) Cumulus (puffy, vertically-developed)
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Cloud Types
Old classification of clouds
1) Cirrus (high, thin, wispy)
2) Stratus (layered)
3) Cumulus (puffy, vertically-developed)
4) Nimbus (rain-producing)
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Cloud Types
New classification of clouds
1) High clouds (higher than 19,000 ft.)
2) Middle clouds (b/w 6,000 and 19,000 ft.)
3) Low clouds (below 6,000 ft.)
4) Clouds with vertical development
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Cloud Types
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High Clouds (> 19,000 ft.)
• Composed of ice crystals
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High Clouds (> 19,000 ft.)
• Composed of ice crystals
• Principal types:
1) Cirrus
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High Clouds (> 19,000 ft.)
• Composed of ice crystals
• Principal types:
1) Cirrus
2) Cirrostratus
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High Clouds (> 19,000 ft.)
• Composed of ice crystals
• Principal types:
1) Cirrus
2) Cirrostratus
3) Cirrocumulus
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Cirrus
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Cirrostratus
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Cirrocumulus
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Other High Clouds - Contrails
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Middle Clouds (between 6,000 and 19,000 ft.)
• Composed mostly of supercooled water
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Middle Clouds (between 6,000 and 19,000 ft.)
• Composed mostly of supercooled water
• Principal types:
1) Altostratus
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Middle Clouds (between 6,000 and 19,000 ft.)
• Composed mostly of supercooled water
• Principal types:
1) Altostratus
2) Altocumulus
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Altostratus
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Altocumulus
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Low Clouds (< 6,000 ft.)
• Composed of liquid water
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Low Clouds (< 6,000 ft.)
• Composed of liquid water
• Principal types:
1) Stratus
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Low Clouds (< 6,000 ft.)
• Composed of liquid water
• Principal types:
1) Stratus
2) Nimbostratus
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Low Clouds (< 6,000 ft.)
• Composed of liquid water
• Principal types:
1) Stratus
2) Nimbostratus
3) Stratocumulus
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Stratus
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Nimbostratus
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Stratocumulus
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Cumulus Clouds
• Cumulus clouds can extend the entire depth of the atmosphere
• Principal types:
1) Cumulus
- cumulus humilis (fair-weather cumulus)
- cumulus congestus (fortress-like)
2) Cumulonimbus
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Cumulus Humilis
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Cumulus Congestus
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Cumulonimbus
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Other Types of Clouds
• Lenticular clouds – clouds that form in wavy airstreams after air goes over a moutain
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Other Types of Clouds
• Banner clouds – clouds located at mountain peaks as they ascend a mountain
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Other Types of Clouds
• Banner clouds – clouds located at mountain peaks as they ascend a mountain
• Mammatus clouds – balloon-like clouds hanging down from cumulonimbus clouds
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Other Types of Clouds
• Nacreous clouds – stratospheric clouds (rare!)
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Other Types of Clouds
• Nacreous clouds – stratospheric clouds (rare!)
• Noctilucent clouds – mesospheric clouds (rare!)
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Lenticular clouds
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Mammatus Clouds
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Banner Clouds
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Nacreous Clouds
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Noctilucent Clouds
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Observing Clouds
• Ceilometers – automated instrument that measures the height of the cloud base, or ceiling, as well as coverage
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Cloud Coverage
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Observing Clouds
• Both cloud ceilings and coverage is reported in the standard ASOS hourly observation
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Observing Clouds
• Satellite imagery is also a primary tool for observing clouds and cloud motions
• Visible satellite imagery
• Infrared satellite imagery
• Water vapor satellite imagery
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Visible Satellite Imagery
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Infrared Satellite Imagery
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Water Vapor Satellite Imagery