Atmosphere

Signs of the Season in Pine Island Bay
Image

Signs of the Season in Pine Island Bay

A major embayment in West Antarctica saw new sea ice growth in autumn 2025 amid older sea ice that had survived the austral summer melt season.

Published Apr 16, 2025

Image of the Day Atmosphere Snow and Ice

Clouds Hover Over the Alaska Peninsula
Image

Clouds Hover Over the Alaska Peninsula

Winds interacted with mountainous terrain to produce long, sharp-edged standing wave clouds.

Published Apr 14, 2025

Image of the Day Atmosphere Water

A Curtain of Dust Over the Tarim Basin
Image

A Curtain of Dust Over the Tarim Basin

In a seasonal spectacle, a spring dust storm swept through the dry, barren basin in western China.

Published Apr 4, 2025

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze

Cloud Fraction
Global Maps

Cloud Fraction

In addition to making rain and snow, clouds can have a warming or cooling influence depending on their altitude, type, and when they form. These maps show what fraction of an area was cloudy each month.

Feb 2000 — Mar 2025

Atmosphere

Aerosol Optical Depth
Global Maps

Aerosol Optical Depth

Airborne aerosols can cause or prevent cloud formation and harm human health. These maps depict aerosol concentrations in the air based on how the tiny particles reflect or absorb visible and infrared light.

Mar 2000 — Mar 2025

Atmosphere