The MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this true-color image of a large low pressure system spinning in the Gulf of Alaska on August 17, 2004 at 22:45 UTC. This area of the world is famous for strong, persisent low pressure systems because of the persistent flow of semi-permanent pressure systems north (the polar easterlies) and south (the subtropical high) of the area.
The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at additional resolutions and formats.
NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response team.
