What You're Looking At
These maps show how cloud measurements deviated from the 34-year average during extreme periods.
How to read anomaly maps:
- Red areas: More clouds or thicker clouds than average
- Blue areas: Fewer clouds or thinner clouds than average
- White areas: Near average conditions
What this shows:
- Satellites can detect and measure unusual cloud patterns
- Anomalies show regional variations in cloud behavior
- Both increases and decreases in cloudiness are measurable
- These measurements are precise enough to show deviations from long-term averages
Key Finding: The ability to measure anomalies demonstrates that satellites provide consistent, precise measurements over decades - refuting claims that cloud properties cannot be tracked.
Data Source: NOAA ISCCP D2 Dataset