Visualizing data: both images display wind speeds and direction. However, the images look very different—yet the patterns are similar. The height level for both images is 300 mb, about 30,000 ft. When dealing with weather data, both forecast and observed, it is important visualize the information given and never forget about forcing features, i.e., terrain. 

A relatively clear day in the western U.S. yields an opportunity to see some snow from space. NASA imagery seen above is from LANCE Terra/MODIS. The image on the left is true color, basically the light spectrum is displayed the same as we see it with our naked eye using bands 1,4,3 from the satellite. Can you see the snow on the ground? The terrain helps outline some of the snow areas; however, when masked by clouds the ice and snow on the ground can sometimes be mistaken for clouds aloft. The image on the right helps discern features by utilizing different bands 3,6,7 from the satellite to categorize and display features by color. The dark red in the image to the right is all of the snow/ice on the ground over the Rockies and parts of the western U.S. To read more about the satellite images and bands displayed go here.