Don't expect any kind of satellite image to give you all the information you need for a safe flight. Even forecasters who are expert in reading satellite images use them in conjunction with other information to make predictions. Still, satellites with their view of weather from much higher than any airplane can fly, can help you understand the big picture of what the atmosphere is doing as you prepare to fly. Internet Satellites Not long ago, you needed a special, expensive receiver to get satellite transmissions. This is still the best way to get the latest transmissions, but you can also get satellite imagery free on the World Wide Web.
Satellite images have their date and time in Zulu time, usually at the top or bottom margin.
NOAA's Aviation Weather Center has lots of products for pilots. Forecast Products Development Team enhances satellite imagery to create special products such as winds in the atmosphere, nighttime low cloud and fog images, and experimental aircraft icing products. Flight Training is the preeminent monthly publication for student pilots and flight instructors. You can subscribe on-line and help support continued free access to AVweb and AVflash in the process.