Notice:
Starting December 3, 2024, visitors to GOES.NOAA.GOV will be redirected
to the STAR
GOES Imagery site. If you have any questions about this change
or need assistance, please contact OSPO
User Services.
4 Dec 2024 - 16:22 EST
4 Dec 2024 - 21:22 UTC
GOES-East CONUS - Air Mass
1 hour loop - 12 images - 5 minute update
To enlarge, pause animation & click the image. Hover over popups to zoom. Use slider to navigate.
While GOES animation code will not run on older Internet Explorer browsers,
they work in the newest versions of Microsoft Edge. If you are using
Internet Explorer, please try a different browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or
MS Edge are all supported.
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2021 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2026 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2031 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2036 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2041 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2046 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2051 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2056 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2101 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2106 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2111 UTC
Air Mass - RGB based on data from IR & water vapor - 04 Dec 2024 - 2116 UTC
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.
