Ten years of hourly infrared geostationary imagery for the rainier months of May through November (1998-2007) are used to investigate patterns of cloud frequency over Central America and the Caribbean. In particular we explore their use in forecasting extreme events for the small country of El Salvador. We will present results of monthly and seasonal composites and compare them with available estimates of rainfall from standard ground records as well as estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measurements Mission. We will also explore the relationship of the cloud pattern with the oceanic forcing (ENSO).