Satellite Image of the Day: January 12, 2005
 (click here for previous images of the day from RUSMART)

NOAA's Hydrometeorologial Prediction Center (HPC) "Daily National Forecast" image shows a daily national weather prediction

Satellites: NOAA-15 and NOAA-17, part of NOAA's 850km-high (530 mile-high) Polar Orbiting satellites

 Snow cover in the Rockies; mountain waves over Mexico
Snow blankets the Rocky Mountains while the cold front pushes to the east across the Great Plains.
In Mexico, with the winds blowing towards the east, mountain waves in the clouds are clearly revealed.
These mountain waves are caused by the air oscillating up and down in elevation after they leave the mountains. When the air rises, it cools and moisture condenses out, creating bands of clouds. When the air falls back down, it can hold more moisture and the clouds disappear.
Click on the image below for a higher-resolution (>100k) version.