Conceptual Models (CMs): Stau (Alps) Lee waves Snow How to use MSG satellite images similarities to and improvements over MTP Contact person: Veronika Zwatz-Meise zwatz-meise@zamg.ac.at Version 1.0. 13 July 2004

CMs: Stau (Alps) Lee waves Snow MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels CM Stau: IR image + relevant NWP parameters MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

MTP: VIS Stau Lee waves Snow As the image time between MTP and MSG differs, a shift between the cloud systems can be noticed in the two images

MSG: CH01 Looks relatively similar; but: somewhat coarser space resolution best seen at lee waves MSG: CH01 Stau Lee waves Snow

MSG: CH02 Looks relatively similar; but: somewhat coarse space resolution best seen at lee waves ; much better recognition of vegetation as in Ch01 MSG: CH02 Stau Lee waves Snow

MTP: IR Stau Lee waves Snow

MSG: CH09 Sharper contours through improved space resolution; especially well seen at lee waves; lee waves are better discernable in IR; relative high, cold cloud tops ? MSG: CH09 Stau Lee waves Snow

MTP: IR+VIS Stau Lee waves Snow

MSG: 129 Sharper contours and more detailed grey-shades through improved space resolution in IR and additional information from 2 different VIS channels; less resolution for lee waves from the VIS channels MSG: 129 Stau Lee waves Snow

MTP: WV Drying by sinking air at lee side

MSG: CH05 Drying by sinking air at lee side; no (nearly no) lee cloud visible; no radiation from farther below

MSG: CH06 In CH06 are lee waves visible: radiation from lower levels reach the satellite Lee waves

CMs: Stau Lee waves Snow MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels CM Stau: IR image + relevant NWP parameters MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

Surface high pressure approaches the Alps from SW; Stau as well as lee waves appear in N stream Stau Lee waves Snow

Upper level trough; Stau as well as lee waves appear in NW stream Stau Lee waves Snow

Wind vectors at 850 hpa Stau within W stream at 850; lee within NW stream at 850 Stau Lee waves Snow

Wind vectors at 700 hpa Stau within NW stream at 700; lee within NW stream at 700; wind turns to more NW directions Stau Lee waves Snow

Wind vectors at 500 hpa Stau within NW stream at 500; lee within NW stream at 500; wind speed is strong in all three levels Stau Lee waves Snow

Thickness + TFP Stau and lee waves within thickness trough Stau Snow

CM: Stau Lee waves Snow MSG additional channels + Channel combinations MTP channels in comparison with the corresponding MSG channels CM Stau: IR image + relevant NWP parameters MSG additional channels + Channel combinations

CH01 Stau cloud, lee waves and snow are white; lee waves are partly only grey (thin) CH01 Stau Lee waves Snow

CH02 Stau cloud, lee waves and snow are white; lee waves are partly only grey (thin); vegetation structure and lakes clearly visible CH02 Stau Lee waves Snow

CH03 Stau cloud and lee waves are white to light grey; snow is darkgrey to black; lakes are black CH03 Stau Lee waves Snow

CH04 Interesting is black snow structure; sharp edge for Stau cloud at Alps; black area to the S cold cloud and/or (?) snow Stau Lee waves Snow

RGB134 Interesting is snow structure; brown at W-Alps where there is snow and small stripe S of Alps in Austria; are both snow ? sharp edge for Stau cloud at Alps much better visible as from single channels; RGB134 Stau Lee waves Snow

RGB139 Interesting is snow structure; pink at W-Alps where there is snow; small stripe S of Alps in Austria has other colour seems to be high cloud; sharp edge for Stau cloud at Alps much better visible as from single channels; RGB139 Stau Lee waves Snow

RGB149 Interesting is snow structure; pink at W-Alps where there is snow; small stripe S of Alps in Austria has other colour seems to be high cloud; sharp edge for Stau cloud at Alps much better visible as from single channels; RGB149 Stau Lee waves Snow

RGB321 Cyan appears at the snow and typically superimposed in the small stripe S of the Alps in Austria; Represents Ice cloud and snow RGB321 Stau Lee waves Snow