Convection monitoring: recommended FCI products

It has now been a year since Météo-France forecasters began using MTG data on a daily basis. Four seasons have passed, including a convective season, during which the new MTG products were put to the test and the existing ones were re-evaluated.

The Satellite imagery innovation and outreach department from the Meteorological Satellite Centre has set up a dedicated support program to best support forecasters in getting accustomed to these FCI images, as well as to remind them of the basics of existing products.

Quick guides have been written for all products, training sessions have been conducted, including a specific one-day course on convection. Communication networks have been established to exchange information on best practices. "Satellite expert forecasters" soon provided us numerous insights on the products: interesting use cases, performances, questions about colours, anomalies, etc.

Skills development is still an ongoing two-way process, involving both the provision of theoretical knowledge and the consideration of extensive user feedback. The numerous exchanges within the international community in which the Meteorological Satellite Centre participated also led to the development of consistent and universal satellite image analysis methods, particularly on the subject of convection.

Cloud top features, cloud top temperature, cloud top particle phase and size, inflow with moisture supply, outflow, cloud vertical extension... all these parameters are relevant when it comes to convection, and FCI is able to provide this information very effectively. Not to mention the gain in spatial and temporal resolution.

But satellite products are becoming increasingly numerous and accurate, each with its own specific features. The large amount of information available to forecasters can sometimes be counterproductive. Time can be short during a shift, particularly in high-stakes situations such as severe convection.  It is necessary to select the relevant elements, and keeping in mind the most useful applications of each product will allow forecasters to optimize the analysis and monitoring of weather conditions.

This poster provides an overview of the FCI products best suited to stormy situations, as well as highlighting the most relevant applications of each.