Data from the LANDSAT and NOAA polar orbiting satellites are used to analyse the Lake Chad basin in Africa. AVHRR measurements spanning the November 1981-November 1982 period are used to monitor lake boundaries, vegetation growth and surface temperature patterns. Historical LANDSAT data from the 1972-1981 period are studied to track changes in lake and basin boundaries. Observations of lake conditions, as viewed from satellites, are related to the recent climate record