Clouds over mid-western and southern US

ESA’s EarthCARE satellite was launched on 29 May 2024. It has already returned images from its cloud profiling radar and from its broadband radiometer. Now, it has also delivered the first images from its multispectral imager, showcasing various types of clouds and cloud temperatures worldwide. This instrument is set to add valuable context to the data from EarthCARE’s other instruments.

The multispectral imager comprises two cameras: one imaging in the visible, near-infrared and shortwave-infrared (VIS-NIR-SWIR) parts of the of the electromagnetic spectrum and one in the thermal-infrared (TIR). Images captured with these different spectral bands will allow scientists to differentiate between various cloud types, aerosols and Earth’s surface.

This image is from 16 July and shows part of mid-western and southern US. The bottom of the image shows that northern Arkansas is hot and cloud-free. Both images then feature part of a frontal system, with the thermal-infrared image highlighting cold high clouds in blue over southern Missouri. The middle of both images show fewer clouds north of the frontal system. The thermal-infrared image shows low warm clouds at the top of the image.

Read full story: EarthCARE’s multispectral imager puts clouds into context