use of satellite images in meteorology - Frederick University

USE OF SATELLITE 

IMAGES IN 

METEOROLOGY 

Stalo Papachristodoulou 

Meteorological Officer 

Cyprus Meteorological Service

DEFINITIONS 

METEOROLOGY 

The scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on 

weather processes and forecasting. 

SATELLITE METEOROLOGY 

The study of the earth's atmosphere and oceans using data 

obtained from remote sensing devices from satellites 

orbiting the earth 

METEOROLOGICAL OR WEATHER SATELLITE 

A type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the 

weather and climate of the Earth 

Apart from meteorological, other types of environmental 

information collected using weather satellites 

Can be polar orbiting and geostationary 

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DEFINITIONS 

METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE: 

The geostationary satellites 

Fly at an altitude of about 36,000km 

Each provides almost continuous imagery and 

communications support over a wide region of the planet 

Each can generate full earth disc images covering nearly 

one quarter of the Earth’s surface, day and night 

The polar orbiting satellites 

Fly in much lower orbits, at around 850km and less 

Each can observe the entire planet twice in each 24-hour 

period, with better resolution than the geostationary 

satellites 

3

HISTORY 

Vanguard 2, the first Weather Sat, launched 17 Feb 1959 with no 

success. TIROS-1, the first successful weather Sat, launched 1 Apr 

1960. 

The first picture of Earth, 

taken by the polar orbiting 

satellite TIROS-1, the first 

weather satellite, to be 

considered success. 

Launched by NASA on 

April 1, 1960. Although the 

spacecraft operated only 

78 days, meteorologists 

worldwide were ecstatic 

over the images of the 

Earth and its cloud cover 

that TIROS relayed back 

to the ground 

4

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM - 

CHANNELS 

Meteorological satellites can measure a wide spectrum of 

electromagnetic radiation in real time, providing the 

meteorologist with a supplemental source of data for the 

whole globe 

Observation is typically made via different 'channels' of the 

Electromagnetic spectrum 

For Meteorology the Visible and Infrared portions are used 

Some of these channels include: 

◦ Visible and Near Infrared: 0.6 μm - 1.6 μm 

For recording cloud cover during the day 

◦ Infrared: 3.9 μm - 7.3 μm (Water Vapour) 

8.7 μm, - 13.4 μm (Thermal imaging) 

5

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM - 

CHANNELS 

Visible (VIS) spectrum 

Visible-light images can be viewed only during local daylight hours 

For Meteorological purposes Visible 0.6 and 0.8 microns are used from Meteosat Sat 

Easy to interpret clouds, cloud systems such as fronts and storms, lakes, forests, 

mountains, snow ice, fires, and pollution such as smoke, smog, volcanic ash, dust 

and haze are readily apparent. Wind can be determined by cloud patterns, 

alignments and movement from successive photos 

Infrared (IR) spectrum 

A major advantage of IR is that it can be viewed 24 hours a day 

The infrared images enable a trained analyst to determine cloud heights and types, 

to calculate land and surface water temperatures, and to locate ocean surface 

features 

For Meteorological purposes Infrared 10 to 12 microns are used most widely 

Water vapor images 

Is a slight modification of the IR images - return an integrated amount of water 

vapor in the atmosphere 

WV channel 6.2 and 7.3 microns - used for the study of the upper atmosphere. 

Moist and dry areas identification 

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VIS SAT IMAGE 05/04/2010 

1100UTC 

MET9 VIS006 

7

VIS SAT IMAGE WESTERN EUROPE 

05/04/2010 1100UTC 

MET9 VIS006 COLOURED 

8

IR SAT IMAGE WESTERN EUROPE 

05/04/2010 1200UTC 

MET9 IR108 

9

WV062 SAT IMAGE WESTERN 

EUROPE 05/04/2010 1200UTC 

MET9 WV6.2 

10

SAT IMAGES- MET9 WV062 

30/03/2010 0700UTC 

MET9 WV6.2 GLOBE MET9 WV6.2 

WESTERN ATLANTIC 

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FROM IMAGES AND DATA PROCESSING 

NEW USEFUL IMAGES DERIVED 

Apart from the 12 Meteosat’s channels (IR, VIS, WV), 

most widely used, other available Images are: 

RGB Composites: Airmass, Ash, Dust, Eview, Fog, 

Microphysics, Natural Colour and Snow Images 

Visualised Products: Some of these products are: AMV 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors, MPE Multi-sensor Precipitation 

Estimate, CDS Climate Data Set, CLA Cloud Analysis, SST 

Sea Surface Temperature, GII Global Instability Index, etc 

Images of RGBs and Visualized Products are available on 

EUMETSAT’s website http://www.eumetsat.int/ 

Images of RGBs and Visualized Products are shown in the 

following slides 

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RGB IMAGES WESTERN EUROPE 

05/04/2010 12UTC 

MET9 RGB-DUST 

CHANNEL 

MET9 RGB- 

MICRODAYSUMMER 

13

VISUALIZED PRODUCTS 

AMV 05/04/2010 

1045UTC 

MPE 05/04/2010 

1045UTC 

14

SATELLITE CONTRIBUTION TO 

METEOROLOGY 

Enormous improvements in the accuracy of weather 

forecasting due to modern technology and the 

availability of data provided by coordinated 

meteorological observing networks, including satellites. 

Today, the global system of operational meteorological 

satellites includes a constellation which is evenly spaced 

around the equator in geostationary orbit, and at least 

two further satellites in near-polar orbits. 

Satellites monitor changes in surface conditions: 

Urban heat island 

Sea and land surface temperature 

Vegetation 

Snow and Ice cover 

15


METEOROLOGY 

Satellite monitor changes in atmospheric 

conditions 

Ozone (and other trace gases) concentration 

Cloud cover and type 

Aerosols/Pollution 

Temperature structure 

Satellite monitor changes in Top of Atmosphere 

energy budget 

Incoming and out going solar energy 

Outgoing terrestrial energy 

16


METEOROLOGY - more details 

Satellite missions provide a wide range of valuable data for 

weather monitoring, forecasting and warnings, including: 

Visible and Infra-red imagery of the Earth’s surface and 

atmosphere: 

such imagery is usually the only means of obtaining continually 

updated quantitative information about cloud over a wide area 

are used to determine the movement of the atmosphere – 

providing the main source of wind information for NWP models 

infrared imagery is used to determine cloud top temperature 

Atmospheric humidity and temperature profiles: 

vertical profiles of humidity and temperature can be obtained – 

which are at the heart of daily weather forecasts using NWP 

models and have improved forecasts significantly 

17


METEOROLOGY-more details 

Ozone concentration profiles: 

Under developments to add satellite measurements of ozone (from 

sounder instruments) as a new NWP model variable; 

Sea surface temperature estimates: 

Are required for low level cloud diagnosis and 

For seasonal to inter-annual forecasts – especially in the tropics; 

Precipitation and liquid water: 

Microwave imagers and sounders on satellites provide information on 

precipitation, and their kind over the oceans 

Sea surface winds: the strength, direction and circulation patterns of 

the surface wind is of great importance for meteorology and climate 

studies – 

help to define storm centers, 

detect patterns associated with inter-seasonal climate variations such 

as the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which affects the weather 

over large parts of the planet 

18

The impact of satellite observations on weather forecast accuracies during the 

1980’s and 1990’s is evident in this chart – particularly for the Southern 

hemisphere where weather stations are relatively sparse (% scale is the 

evolution of annual mean forecast skill for the European Centre or Medium 

Range Weather Forecasting) 

19

WHY DO WE USE SATELLITES IN 

METEOROLOGY ? 

Meteorologists use Satellite 

images for: 

Weather monitoring 

General weather forecast and Nowcast (up to 6h) 

Research purposes 

NWP Models (Data from satellites are used In Synoptic or 

Asynoptic mode in Numerical Weather Prediction models) 

20

WHAT WE DO AS METEOROLOGISTS IN 

CYPRUS METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE? 

Meteorologists in the Cyprus Meteorological Service 

Monitor the Weather 

Predict the Weather for today, (Nowcasting-up to 6h) and 

the 5 next days, (Medium Range Forecast) 

Provide Weather Services-Weather forecast and a range of 

Meteorological and Climatological information and 

Issue warnings of severe or hazardous weather 

for 

Safety, protection of life, property and Infrastructure, 

reliable and cost effective operations, decision making 

about day-to-day activities, important operations or 

emergencies 

21

WHAT WE DO AS METEOROLOGISTS IN 

THE CYPRUS MET SERVICE? 

for customers such as 

Civil Aviation (Flight Operations and Crew members, to Air 

Traffic Controllers, to Flight Information Service, to Search 

and Rescue Units, to Airport Administration), to Sport 

Agencies (Ballonists, Gliders, Sailing, Cyprus Rally 

organizers), Private or Instructor Pilots, Public, Sea, 

Military, Shipping industry, Fishermen and Farmers, 

Multimedia, Agriculture, to Construction Companies and 

Research Organizations or Universities. 

Obviously, the safety of our customers is of crucial 

importance and then the prevention or the elimination of 

any financial devastation, loss of lives, properties damage 

and infrastructures due to Weather events. 

22

WHY DO WE USE SATELLITE 

IMAGES IN CYPRUS MET SERVICE? 

Monitoring Weather: 

Correct weather forecasts start with accurate observations 

of all weather elements 

Meteorologists observe the evolution of all weather 

parameters such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, 

clouds and precipitation by means of high technological 

sensors either remotely via satellites or radar or via direct 

instruments 

In the Cyprus Meteorological Service only satellite images 

are used and no Sat data processing is made 

23

WHY DO WE USE SATELLITE 

IMAGES IN CYPRUS MET SERVICE? 

Weather Prediction, Nowcast 

From sat images meteorologists identify areas of 

hazardous weather such as stormy systems or 

thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, strong winds, low cloud or 

fog, fronts associated with heavy rain and can cause 

floods, dust, volcanic ash, and other weather hazardous 

phenomena 

By looking at a series of images and some additional 

information such as wind speeds and directions or pressure 

patterns they can make a forecast for the direction and 

intensity of the hazardous weather 

Being able to predict the above weather phenomena is vital 

for Nowcasting because meteorologists will 

Issue Early Warnings to eliminate properties damage and 

loss of lives 

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WILD WEATHER IMAGES

SATELLITE IMAGES RECEIVED AT 

CYPRUS MET SERVICE 

Receive images from MSG-1 Meteosat-8, Meteosat Second 

Generation, (MSG), via a Satellite Receiver system and a software 

Receive images from all the Meteosat 12 channels 

Unfortunately every 3 hours because we are not EUMETSAT’s member! 

MSG - A joint project between European Space Agency, (ESA), and 

European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites 

(EUMETSAT) 

Receiving images every 3h, obviously is not useful 

Huge problem. Weather evolves within minutes and we lose useful 

information. For example, a storm lasts between 30-45 minutes. With 

an image available every 3h the storm will start and finish and we won’t 

be able to see it, especially in the absence of a weather radar! 

This eliminates chances of a high quality and reliable Nowcast or 

Forecast 

Unable to provide sat data or images to local Universities and 

Research Organizations for research purposes 

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SATELLITE IMAGES RECEIVED AT 

CYPRUS MET SERVICE 

Metshell 

Is another software through which we receive Satellite 

images with a cooperation with the Greek National 

Meteorological Service 

Receive an image every 15min in analogue form 

Unfortunately the most recent image comes with delay of 

up to 45-60min 

In this case we do not receive any satellite data, only the 

image as such 

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FUTURE NEEDS FOR THE CYPRUS 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE 

Co-operation with ESA, (European Space Agency) 

Cyprus is now a member of ESA 

Cyprus Met Service is interested to cooperate in future projects with ESA 

and receive all type of Meteorological and Climatological data and Images 

from its satellites 

MetOp-A, ESA’s satellite, is Europe's first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated 

to operational Meteorology. It represents the European contribution to a 

new co-operative venture with the United States providing data to 

monitor climate and improve weather forecasting. 

MetOp-A launched on 19 October 2006. 

Primal future need for CY Met Service is to become EUMETSAT’s 

member 

This will enable us to receive all type of EUMETSAT’s Meteorological and 

Climatological products, Images and Data, frequently, every 15 min, (not 

every 3h)! 

Sat Data provision to the local NWP model will improve forecast 

significantly 

Hence, the quality of our services will be improved and Research can be 

promoted 

Eumetsat’s products are shown in the next slide 

28



EUMETSAT’s Products related to Meteorology 

1. Meteosat Image Services EUMETSAT provides image 

services in real-time from several satellites, including the 

first generation Meteosat-7, and the second generation 

Meteosat-8 (for rapid scanning) and Meteosat-9 

2. Meteosat Meteorological Products (Products from the 

Meteosat satellites have many meteorological and 

research applications. They allow detailed monitoring of 

the state of the atmosphere, from which a predicted 

state may be interpolated on the basis of physical 

understanding and past experience of the way in which 

the atmosphere behaves 

3. Eumetsat Data Centre The EUMETSAT Data Centre 

receives and archives images and meteorological 

products from the satellites. The archiving process is 

automated, and is carried out 24 hours a day, every day 

of the year 

29



EUMETSAT’s Products related to Meteorology 

4. Metop and NOOA Services The data services of the 

EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) are generated from data 

provided by the Metop and NOAA polar orbiting satellites. 

These services include satellite instrument direct readout 

data and processed products generated from these data 

5. User Support Service The EUMETSAT User Service 

enables users to obtain the maximum benefit from the 

data, products and services of the current and future 

satellite systems 

6. Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs) SAFs are 

dedicated centres of excellence for processing satellite 

data and form an integral part of the distributed 

EUMETSAT Application Ground Segment) 

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SAT APPLICATION FACILITIES (SAFs) 

There are currently seven SAFs providing products and 

services on an operational basis: 

SAF on Support to Nowcasting and Very Short Range 

Forecasting 

Ocean and Sea Ice SAF 

Climate Monitoring SAF 

Numerical Weather Prediction SAF 

Land Surface Analysis SAF 

Ozone and Atmospheric Chemistry Monitoring SAF 

GRAS Meteorology SAF 

One SAF is under development: 

Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management 

31



The SAFs help deliver a variety of benefits in 

Meteorology including: 

Improvements to short-range forecast of severe weather 

hazards 

Support to the aviation, agriculture, construction, gas, water 

and electricity industries 

Better understanding of the causes and effects of pollution 

of the upper atmosphere and the depletion of ozone 

Early warning of hazards 

Better data for climate monitoring 

Improved information for disaster monitoring and 

agricultural forecasting 

Improved data for input to Numerical Weather Prediction 

and the availability of user software packages for operational 

applications 

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THE END 

ANY 

QUESTIONS? 

33

All MSG channels 

Channel 01: VIS 0.6 

Channel 02: VIS 0.8 

Channel 03: NIR 1.6 

Channel 04: MIR 3.9 

Channel 05 WV 6.2 

Channel 06: WV 7.3 

Channel 07: IR 8.7 

Channel 08: IR 9.7 („Ozon“) 



Channel 11: IR 13.4 „CO 2“) 

Channel 12: HRV (High Resolution vis) 

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use of satellite images in meteorology - Frederick University

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