Satellite Technology: Principles and Applications, 3rd Edition

12Weather Satellites

Use of satellites for weather forecasting and prediction of related phenomena has become indispensable. Information from weather satellites are used for short term weather forecasts as well as for reliable prediction of the movements of tropical cyclones, allowing rerouting of ships and a preventive action in zones through which hurricanes pass. Meteorological information is also of considerable importance for conducting of military operations such as reconnaissance missions. Due to the inherent advantages of monitoring from space, coupled with developments in the sensor technology, satellites have brought about a revolution in the field of weather forecasting. The end result is that there is a reliable forecast of weather and other related activities on a routine basis. In this chapter, a closer look will be taken at various aspects related to evolution, operation and use of weather satellites. Some of the major weather satellite missions are covered towards the end of the chapter. Like previous chapters, this chapter also contains a large number of illustrative photographs.

12.1 Weather Forecasting – An Overview

Weather forecasting, as people call it, is both a science as well as an art. It is about predicting the weather, which can be both long term as well as short term. Generally, short term predictions are based on current observations whereas long term predictions are made after understanding the weather patterns, on the basis of observations made ...