The infrared satellite image and animation viewable from the previous page are most commonly used as a general
indicator of active weather.  By combining satellite infrared data, a seamless image is created that shows
remotely measured temperature data of the surface of the Earth and its clouds.  Measuring cloud top temperature
data can provide an estimation of their heights, and assuming that a colder cloud top has a greater vertical
extent, the cloud may be more capable of producing heavier rainfall.  Thus, warmer IR temperatures=~lighter
precipitation, and colder IR temperatures=~heavier precipitation.  Both the still image and 24 hour animation
are updated hourly.  Afghanistan time = UTC + 4:30.  One must use caution, however, as colder indicated
temperatures do not always correspond to precipitation patterns.  This deception commonly may be seen over the
Himalayan Mountain Range where surface temperatures are often very low.  Elsewhere, clouds may be sensed
due to their lower temperatures, but may not be precipitating.