An infrared-derived layer that isolates cloud tops and superimposes them on a base map.

Applications:

• Mapping broad cloud coverage over land and sea
• Identifying large-scale storm clusters
• Tracking the movement of extensive cloud shields

A visible-light implementation of cloud extraction, rendering only the cloud field over a geographic map.

Applications:

• Visualizing general cloud outlines with natural contrast
• Locating cloud fields relative to coastlines and major landmarks
• Enhancing public-facing satellite views for easy interpretation

Combines MCIR’s cloud-only graphics with unmodified infrared coloring to highlight raw temperature contrasts.

White/gray → green → yellow → red → black = increasing precipitation likelihood

Applications:

• Highlighting colder cloud regions that may signal heavier rain
• Pinpointing rough areas of strong convection despite low resolution
• Overlaying raw IR temperature detail on a clear map background

A temperature-based color scheme applied to cloud-top readings, assigning distinct hues to specified temperature bands.

Color scheme ranges from -90°C through -30°C to 50°C.

Applications:

• Estimating relative cloud-top temperatures and heights
• Spotting colder, potentially severe storm tops
• Providing simple thermal cues in low-res imagery

A multi-channel composite using AVHRR channels 3a (1.61 µm), 2 (0.63 µm) and 1 (0.86 µm) displayed as red, green and blue respectively.

Applications:

• Distinguishing broad surface features (vegetation vs. clouds)
• Enhancing visibility of thin clouds and smoke plumes
• Supporting basic environmental monitoring in low-res data