Conceptual Models (CMs): Cold fronts (CF), Ana- and Katatype

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Conceptual Models (CMs):Cold fronts (CF), Ana- and Katatype

How to use MSG satellite images

similarities to and improvements

over MTP

Contact person:Veronika Zwatz-Meisezwatz-meise@zamg.ac.atVersion 1.0. 13 July 2004

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CMs:Cold Fronts

(Ana-and Katatype)

• MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels

• CM Cold Fronts: IR image + relevant NWP parameters

• MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

• (WV and WV difference images)

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Anacoldfront

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MTP: ir

CF

As the image time between MTP and MSG differs, a shift between the cloud systems can be noticed in the two images

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MSG: Ch09

Sharper contours throughimproved space resolution

CF

Grey: warmcloud tops

White: coldcloud tops

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MSG: Ch10

Visual inspection shows only very slight changes between Ch09 and Ch10;quantitative evaluation necessary

CF

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MTP: vis

CF

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Looks relatively similar;but: somewhat coarser space resolution MSG: Ch01

White: highalbedo

CFGrey:transparent

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MSG: Ch02

Compared to Ch01:no strong differences in the cloudfeatures over the ocean;but: much better land recognition

CF

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MTP:VIS(2x)+IR

CF

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MSG:129

Sharper contours and more detailed grey-shadesthrough improved space resolution in IR and additional information from 2 different VIS channels

CF

White/grey/blue:multilevel

blue:high

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Katacoldfront

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MTP: ir

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;in IR detectable only fromgeneral structure

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MSG: Ch09

Sharper contours throughimproved space resolution

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;in IR detectable only fromgeneral structure

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MTP: vis

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;in vis differentiation between thickand transparent cloud parts possible

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MSG: Ch01Looks relatively similar;but: somewhat coarser space resolution

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;in vis differentiation between thickand transparent cloud parts possible

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MSG: Ch02

Compared to Ch01:no strong differences in the cloudfeatures over the ocean;but: much better land recognition

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;in vis differentiation between thickand transparent cloud parts possible

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MTP:VIS(2x)+IR

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;blue: high cloud on anticyclonic jet sidegrey: thick cloud parts

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MSG:129

Sharper contours and more detailed grey-shadesthrough improved space resolution in IR and additional information from 2 different VIS channels

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;blue: high cloud on anticyclonic jet sidegrey: thick cloud partsline of lower cloud cellsdiscernable

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MTP: wv

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;jet axis through dark stripewell recognisable

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MSG: Ch05

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;jet axis through dark stripewell recognisable

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MSG: Ch06

CF

CF

Typical intensificationof front cloud on cyclonic side of a crossing jet streak;

Ch06:Signals from much lower downin tropopshere;black stripe crossing frontal cloud band less good butstill recognisable

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CMs:Coldfronts(Ana- and Katatype)

• MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels

• CM Coldfronts: IR image + relevant NWP parameters

• MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

• (WV and WV difference images)

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Anacoldfront

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Thickness (green)+TFP (blue)

High gradient of thickness atrearward edge of frontal cloud band;TFP close to the leading edge of the frontal cloud band

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Thickness (green) + TA (red)

Zeroline of TA close to rearward edge of frontal cloud band;CA at 700 within biggest partof frontal cloud

CA

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Isotachs 300

Jetaxis and jet streak alongrearward side of frontal cloud band

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MSG: Ch05zeroline of shear vort 300 (yellow)

Zeroline of shear vorticity 300(jetaxis) fits to transition from wet to dry

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Zeroline of shear vorticity 300(jetaxis) fits to transition from wet to dry;no tilt between Ch05 and 06 recognisable

MSG: Ch06zeroline of shear vort 300 (yellow)

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MSG:139zeroline of shear vort. 300 (black)

Zeroline of shear vorticity 300(jetaxis) fits to the margentafibre at the rear of the cloud band;high cold tops consisting of ice

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Katacoldfront

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Thickness (green)+TFP (blue)

High thickness gradient and TFPclose to rear side of frontalcloud band as well as in the intensification area;

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TA (red)

Main part of the frontalcloud band is under WA at 700

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Isotachs (yellow) + PVA (red) at 300

A jet streak crosses thefront at the N-S oriented part;the intensification area is under strong PVA in the leftexit region of the jet streak

PVA max

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MSG: Ch09zeroline of shear vort 300 (black)

The jet axis (zeroline ofshear vort. At 300) crosses thecloud band at the N-S oriented part

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MSG: Ch05zeroline of shear vort 300 (black)

The jet axis (zeroline ofshear vort. at 300) is close tothe dark stripe in WV

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MSG: Ch06zeroline of shear vort 300 (black)

The jet axis (zeroline ofshear vort. at 300) is close tothe dark stripe in WV;but: it is drier than in the upper WV channel; sometilt between Ch05 and Ch06

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CMs:Coldfronts(Ana- and Katatype)

• MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels

• CM Cold Fronts: IR image + relevant NWP parameters

• MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

• (WV and WV difference images)

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Anacoldfront

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MSG:129

Yellow/grey/blue:multilayered;transparent cold cloudline at the rearward edge

CF

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MSG: Ch03

CF

Ice clouds are superimposedon water clouds;line of ice clouds along rearward edge of frontal cloud band

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MSG:321

Grey shades: from Vis channelsCyan: represents the ice clouds from Ch03: line of ice clouds along rearward edge of frontal cloud band

CF

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MSG: Ch04

Black: cold cloud tops

CF

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MSG:139

Blue: cold transparent cloudMagenta: ice cloudline of ice cloud alongrearward edeg

CF

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MSG:134

Brown/orange: cold cloud top;ice cloud

CF

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CM: Cold Fronts

• Typical Katacoldfront

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MSG:129

Yellow/grey/blue:multilayered;transparent cold cloud;thick cloud in theintesification area

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MSG: Ch03

Ice clouds are superimposedon water clouds;intensification area consistsof ice and water cloud

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MSG:321Grey shades: from Vis channelsCyan: represents the ice clouds from Ch03:intensification area shows ice on topof water cloud

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MSG: Ch04

Black: cold cloud tops

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MSG:139Blue: cold transparent cloudMagenta: ice cloudintensification area is magenta

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MSG:134

Brown/orange: cold cloud top;ice cloud;intensification area isbrown structured