Images
July 11, 2026 - Clouds Across the Southeastern United States
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Clouds dotted the landscape of the Southeastern United States on a scalding summer day in July 2026. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image on July 2.
The image spans most of eight states, including (starting from the north and moving south), Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Florida. Almost all of the area visible was sweltering under high heat warnings through the day and even into the night. For example, Weather Underground reported the daytime high temperature in Atlanta, Georgia hit 98ºF (36.7ºC) with indices well above 100ºF (37.8ºC). At night, the city only cooled to 82ºF (27.8ºC).
Extreme heat also triggered an unstable atmosphere, leading to severe storms in parts of the region, including a swath from western Kentucky through middle and eastern Tennessee. Large clouds visible in this region are likely cumulonimbus clouds that are in the process of building. Cumulonimbus are the towering clouds that bring active thunderstorms.
The more common cloud scattered across the region are small, fluffy-looking clouds called “popcorn clouds”. These smaller clouds are categorized as low-altitude cumulus clouds and are common over vegetated areas at certain times of the year. They form when warm, humid air rises from the grasses and forests, then cools as it rises, resulting in the development of the clouds. They are generally regarded as “fair weather” cloud and are not accompanied by rain.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 7/2/2026
Resolutions:
Bands Used:
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Clouds dotted the landscape of the Southeastern United States on a scalding summer day in July 2026. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image on July 2.
The image spans most of eight states, including (starting from the north and moving south), Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Florida. Almost all of the area visible was sweltering under high heat warnings through the day and even into the night. For example, Weather Underground reported the daytime high temperature in Atlanta, Georgia hit 98ºF (36.7ºC) with indices well above 100ºF (37.8ºC). At night, the city only cooled to 82ºF (27.8ºC).
Extreme heat also triggered an unstable atmosphere, leading to severe storms in parts of the region, including a swath from western Kentucky through middle and eastern Tennessee. Large clouds visible in this region are likely cumulonimbus clouds that are in the process of building. Cumulonimbus are the towering clouds that bring active thunderstorms.
The more common cloud scattered across the region are small, fluffy-looking clouds called “popcorn clouds”. These smaller clouds are categorized as low-altitude cumulus clouds and are common over vegetated areas at certain times of the year. They form when warm, humid air rises from the grasses and forests, then cools as it rises, resulting in the development of the clouds. They are generally regarded as “fair weather” cloud and are not accompanied by rain.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 7/2/2026
Resolutions:
Bands Used:
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
