Session 6 | Severe weather forecaster training

Session 6

Severe weather forecaster training

Orals

| Fri, 12 May, 11:30–12:00 (EEST)|Main Conference Room

Posters

| Attendance Tue, 09 May, 14:30–16:00 (EEST) | Display Mon, 08 May, 09:00–Tue, 09 May, 18:30|Exhibition area

Orals: Fri, 12 May | Main Conference Room

11:30–11:45

ECSS2023-140

SIFT - An interactive tool for satellite data visualisation and analysis

Andrea Meraner, Johan Strandgren, and Sauli Joro

Meteorological satellites continuously provide a wealth of data while observing the weather from space. With the next generation satellites and space-borne imagers, the spatial resolution, temporal resolution and spatial/spectral coverage is increasing, further increasing the amount of data. While this is certainly useful for severe weather monitoring and forecasting, it also puts high demands on the tools used to read, process, visualise and analyse the data. The heterogeneous nature of both the satellite data as well as possible reference data from e.g. ground-based networks requires further flexibility and modularity for effective data handling. Similarly, it is usually not feasible for a single user or user group to be familiar with all the different satellite data formats including how to open the files and how to extract and visualize the relevant data.

The Satellite Information Familiarization Tool – SIFT – is a free and open source interactive tool initially developed at SSEC University of Wisconsin for the visualisation and analysis of satellite imagery data. In preparation for Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and the launch of the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and Lightning Imager (LI) in 2022, EUMETSAT has further developed SIFT, with the main objective of having an easy to use and responsive software compatible with data from different instruments that can be used for different tasks including e.g. data visualization and analysis, Cal/Val activities and training. SIFT also utilises several of the Pytroll open source libraries (e.g. Satpy) to read and process the data, thus enabling access to the visualization and analysis of a multitude of different data sources.

The new version of SIFT, including the latest developments led by EUMETSAT, is expected to be released to users in 2023 and with this presentation we want to show potential users how this tool can be used to visualize satellite data for severe storm analysis including a live demonstration.

How to cite: Meraner, A., Strandgren, J., and Joro, S.: SIFT - An interactive tool for satellite data visualisation and analysis, 11th European Conference on Severe Storms, Bucharest, Romania, 8–12 May 2023, ECSS2023-140, https://doi.org/10.5194/ecss2023-140, 2023.

11:45–12:00

ECSS2023-145

EUMETSAT-ESSL Testbeds and Workshops for Meteosat Third Generation User Preparation

Alois M. Holzer, Pieter Groenemeijer, Tomáš Púčik, Stephan Bojinski, and Nataša Strelec-Mahović

To prepare users for the Meteosat Third Generation of satellites, the first of which was launched in December 2022, ESSL conducts testbeds and expert workshops in cooperation with EUMETSAT at the ESSL Research and Training Centre in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The goal of the testbeds is to expose forecasters to the capabilities of new MTG sensors, the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI), the Lightning Imager (LI), and the Infrared Sounder (IRS) and to collect their feedback on the visualizations of the data.

In each of the testbeds, three of which were held in 2022, 15 people from different EUMETSAT member states take part in a week-long activity with working conditions close to the usual working environment of a forecaster, i.e., with having a wide range of data available, including many data not from satellites, together with predefined output formats and time pressure. The task of the participating meteorologists is to produce nowcasts and probabilistic forecasts for predefined types of severe weather. The forecast region depends on the weather situation of a particular day and can shift from one part of Europe to another from day to day, depending on the active weather patterns.

In 2022, before any MTG data was available, a range of products that functioned as a proxy for MTG data was used. This included data from imagers on polar-orbiting satellites mimicking the capabilities of future FCI products. These data were visualized in the ESSL Displayer, ESSL’s html interface for visualizing meteorological data. Based on the participants’ work and expert consultation on several RGBs, a novel “Low Moisture” product, and a range of products from the Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility (NWC-SAF), direct and written feedback was collected and provided to the developers. In 2023, the focus will move away from proxy data to data collected by real MTG sensors. Actual FCI and, later, LI products will be included in the Testbed Displayer. For the hyperspectral IRS, a sensor mounted on the second MTG satellite to be launched in 2024, proxy data will be visualized.

How to cite: Holzer, A. M., Groenemeijer, P., Púčik, T., Bojinski, S., and Strelec-Mahović, N.: EUMETSAT-ESSL Testbeds and Workshops for Meteosat Third Generation User Preparation, 11th European Conference on Severe Storms, Bucharest, Romania, 8–12 May 2023, ECSS2023-145, https://doi.org/10.5194/ecss2023-145, 2023.

Posters: Tue, 9 May, 14:30–16:00 | Exhibition area

Display time: Mon, 8 May, 09:00–Tue, 9 May, 18:30

ECSS2023-96

EUMETSAT activities in training forecasters for using satellite data and applications

Nataša Strelec Mahović, Vesa Nietosvaara, and Ivan Smiljanić

Recent surveys show that training in satellite meteorology in Europe is needed the most for: 1) better use of the existing and new products as well as being prepared for the future products from MTG and EPS-SG satellite data; 2) forecasting and nowcasting of extreme and/or hazardous weather. These include the monitoring of convective environments and wider nowcasting applications and training on the operational use of integrated data sources, i.e. satellite data and other types of data and information. EUMETSAT, together with partners, is offering a wide range of training activities to answer these needs. Target audience of the forecaster trainings are operational meteorologists (general, aviation and marine weather forecasters), trainers that train forecasters, users in different application areas, product and application developers, researchers, university teachers and students within EUMETSAT Member States, and even in wider Europe and Central Asia, as well as Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

In Europe, training takes place through regional networks: NOMEK, BALTIC+, SEEMET and DACH in coordination with EUMeTrain, including also partner organizations and consortia (e.g. NWC SAF). These trainings are focused on everyday challenges of the operational forecasters, with special emphasis on applications of satellite data and products. Severe Convective Storms Testbeds run by ESSL are hands-on courses where forecasters learn how to use satellite, radar and model data in real-time for forecasting convective development and associated threats. Testbeds for Aviation forecasters, run by FMI, cover the topics important for aviation, such as icing, turbulence etc., using satellite and other data in operational forecast environment. International Summer school of Remote Sensing is more focused on data processing and visualization, and it serves more experienced users with hands-on activities in satellite data discovery and utilization.

In wider Europe as well as in Africa, Middle East and beyond the training takes place in cooperation with the VLab Centres of Excellence within the region, and is tailored to the regional needs.

The paper will present the entire range of EUMETSAT training activities.

How to cite: Strelec Mahović, N., Nietosvaara, V., and Smiljanić, I.: EUMETSAT activities in training forecasters for using satellite data and applications, 11th European Conference on Severe Storms, Bucharest, Romania, 8–12 May 2023, ECSS2023-96, https://doi.org/10.5194/ecss2023-96, 2023.

ECSS2023-127

Tornadic, hail and wind storms in Central Europe – when to expect what: a case study of the severe weather outbreak on 20 May 2022

Marcus Beyer and Kathrin Wapler

An understanding of historical events, e.g. regarding the occurrence and characteristics of severe storms, may help to improve the situational awareness of future events. Thus, an example case is used to show typical setups for the occurrence and characteristics of severe convective storms. This case is also used for internal forecasters training.

The case is analysed regarding its synoptic and mesoscale environment as well as storm characteristics. It is discussed in which region to expect which phenomena based on available data. The case study will be presented as poster in a way to allow the conference participants to (re)forecast and (re)nowcast themselves the location, intensity and type of storms.

On 20 May 2022, a severe weather outbreak took place, influencing parts of Central Europe: heavy precipitation, large hail, severe windstorm and at least eight tornadoes occurred according to the European Severe Weather Database.

A pronounced short-wave trough was moving from Western Europe into Germany. The trough led to an intensification of a downstream surface low that was moving from Benelux into Northern Germany during the day.

Radar radial wind data showed persistent rotation tracks. Individual storms show tracks of higher VIL and VII values. The lighting activity of many storms was high including lightning jumps.

How to cite: Beyer, M. and Wapler, K.: Tornadic, hail and wind storms in Central Europe – when to expect what: a case study of the severe weather outbreak on 20 May 2022, 11th European Conference on Severe Storms, Bucharest, Romania, 8–12 May 2023, ECSS2023-127, https://doi.org/10.5194/ecss2023-127, 2023.