GOES-18 Mesoscale view - Day Cloud Phase at 38°N - 118°W - Esmeralda County, NV

This RGB will be phased out around 1 Feb 2023 and will be replaced by the Day Night Cloud Micro Combo RGB.

This RGB is used to evaluate the phase of cooling cloud tops to monitor convective initiation, storm growth, and decay. It can also be used to identify snow on the ground. The Day Cloud Phase Distinction RGB takes advantage of cloud reflectance differences between the visible and near infrared channels and temperature variances between land and clouds in the infrared to provide increased contrast between background surfaces and phases of clouds (i.e., water vs. ice). Due to its reliance on visible bands 2 and 5, it is only usable during daylight hours. This RGB composite was developed by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for Himawari-8. Interpretation is still under investigation.

• For more details, see the Day Cloud Phase Product Guide, (PDF, 757 KB)