This satellite image shows a very strong thunderstorm in northern Oklahoma on April 26, 1991. The overshooting tops are associated with supercell activity. Tornadoes touched down from this system.
Satellite imagery has revolutionized the way meteorologists look at storm systems.
From a satellite image, a scientist can get an idea of where the clouds are, how deep they are in the atmosphere and what types of clouds are present. By looking at consecutive satellite images in a sequence, much like a series of animation cells, meteorologists can see the movement of both clouds and the weather system producing them, as well as the development or dissipation of the thunderstorm.
Satellites also provide information on the temperature, both of cloud tops and the vertical profile and on water vapor.
This thunderstorm was part of the Wichita Andover Outbreak in which 55 tornadoes struck from Texas northward to Iowa. The worst tornadoes occurred in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, the most notable being the one that struck Andover, Kansas, killing 17 people, 13 in a mobile home trailer park. There were 308 injuries and over $280 million damage.
To see more satellite images, check out the Hurricane and Forecasting sections of Everything Weather, or select another icon to view this tornado from a different vantage point.
