An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configured to receive a liquid and direct atomized liquid to an agricultural field in a dispersal area. A thermal imager is operably coupled to the agricultural sprayer and has a field of view behind the agricultural sprayer. The thermal imager is configured to provide an indication of a thermal reaction of the agricultural field in response to application of the atomized liquid. An output of the thermal imager is used to characterize operation of the at least one nozzle.