Meteorology

T

he use of satellites orbiting the

Earth, recording the coming of

rain, air currents, and clouds,

allows us to know with some

hours of advance warning if a

severe storm is heading toward a certain

point on the planet. Counting on this

type of precise information about when

and where tropical cyclones will occur,

for example, has allowed government

officials to coordinate the evacuation of

people from the affected zones. The

surface of the planet is also monitored

by a system of meteorological stations

placed hundreds of miles from each

other. These collect information from and

send information to all areas of the world

so that meteorologists can prepare maps,

graphics, and predictions to inform the

public.

WEATHER FOLKLORE 64-65

COMPILATION OF INFORMATION66-67

INSTANTANEOUS MAPS 68-69

RAIN, COLD, OR HEAT 70-71

MOBILE SATELLITES 72-73

RITA, SEPTEMBER 2003

The image from the GOES-12

satellite shows the configuration

of Hurricane Rita in the eastern

portion of the Gulf of Mexico.