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10 Dec 2024 - 20:12 EST
11 Dec 2024 - 01:12 UTC

GOES-West - Sector view: Pacific Southwest - Air Mass

1 hour loop - 12 images - 5 minute update

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Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0011 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0011 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0016 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0016 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0021 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0021 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0026 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0026 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0031 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0031 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0036 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0036 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0041 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0041 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0046 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0046 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0051 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0051 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0056 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0056 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0101 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0101 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0106 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 11 Dec 2024 - 0106 UTC Latitude / Longitude grid
legend for AirMass RBG

Key for AirMass RGB:

1 - Jet stream / potential vorticity (PV) / deformation zones / dry upper level (dark red / orange)

2 - Cold air mass (dark blue/purple)

3 - Warm air mass (green)

4 - Warm air mass, less moisture (olive/dark orange)

5 - High thick cloud (white)

6 - Mid level cloud (tan/salmon)

7 - Low level cloud (green, dark blue)

8 - Limb effects (purple/blue)

Air Mass RGB is used to diagnose the environment surrounding synoptic systems by enhancing temperature and moisture characteristics of airmasses. Cyclogenesis can be inferred by the identification of warm, dry, ozone-rich descending stratospheric air associated with jet streams and potential vorticity (PV) anomalies. The RGB can be used to validate the location of PV anomalies in model data. Additionally, this RGB can distinguish between polar and tropical airmasses, especially along upper-level frontal boundaries and identify high-, mid-, and low-level clouds.

• For more details, see the Air Mass RGB Guide, (PDF, 1.1 MB)