HRV (High Resolution Visible) satellite images offer detailed imagery based on reflected sunlight, which is excellent for identifying fine cloud structures and surface features, but only during daylight hours.

RGB images, on the other hand, are created by combining multiple spectral channels, often including visible, infrared (IR), and sometimes water vapour bands. Each channel highlights different physical characteristics such as temperature, moisture content, or particle size. By assigning each of these channels to a red, green, or blue component, a composite colour image is generated that provides a richer, more detailed picture.

This allows meteorologists to:

• Distinguish between cloud types (e.g. thick convective vs. thin cirrus)
• Infer cloud altitude based on IR data
• Identify dust, ash, snow, or fog depending on the RGB composite type

Unlike HRV, which is limited to visible light and therefore ineffective at night, many RGB composites use infrared channels and remain functional both day and night, especially those used for air mass analysis and cloud phase detection.

Thus, the key advantage of RGB imagery is that it enables more effective interpretation of cloud types and altitudes by combining different visual and thermal channels.

Note: RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue.