Skip Navigation Links
NOAA NOAA United States Department of Commerce

Satellite Imagery Enhancement Descriptions


Abbreviation Full Name Description
VIS Visible Unenhanced visible imagery that transitions
to infrared channel 2 overnight
AVN Aviation Aviation color enhancement
IR2 Shortwave Shortwave, sometimes considered "night visible"
BD Dvorak Dvorak Technique for Tropical Cyclone Classifications
IR4 Unenhanced Unenhanced channel 4 infrared imagery
JSL JSL2 Developed by Jim Lynch for use with tropical classifications
RGB RGB Combination of visible and infrared using a
three channel technique to make features stand out
FT Funktop Developed by Ted Funk for assistance
with precipitation analysis
RB Rainbow Rainbow enhancement curve – a colorful enhancement
WV Water Vapor Infrared channel 3 with color enhancement


Note:  This data courtesy of the NOAA Satellite Services Division