1. EUMETSATs Network of Satellite Application Facilities Lothar Schüller

2. Outline EUMETSAT SAF Programmatic framework
SAF concept and establishment
SAF structure and processes
SAF product characteristics
Current SAF Network
Committed SAF snow products
SAF interaction with users
SAF phasing
Research and/to Operations

3. Current EUMETSAT satellites
METOP A-B
(LOW-EARTH, SUN – SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT)
EUMETSAT POLAR SYSTEM/INITIAL JOINT POLAR SYSTEM
JASON-2
(LOW-EARTH, 63° INCL. NON SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT)
OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY MISSION
METEOSAT – 7 (1st GENERATION)
(GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT)
INDIAN OCEAN DATA COVERAGE MISSION AT 57°5 E
METEOSAT (2nd GENERATION)
(GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT)
TWO-SATELLITE SYSTEM:
- METEOSAT-9: FULL DISK IMAGERY MISSION AT 0° (15 MN)
- METEOSAT-8: RAPID SCAN SERVICE OVER EUROPE AT 9.5°E (5 MN)

4. EUMETSAT ground segment overview
EUMETSAT geostationary systems
Meteosat satellites
Jason-2
Optional programme for ocean altimetry
EUMETSAT Polar System
Metop satellites
NOAA satellites
Data acquisition and control
Flight Operations
Other satellites
Pre-processing EUMETSAT HQ
Third-party
data sources
Data Centre EUMETSAT HQ Darmstadt
Meteorological product extraction EUMETSAT HQ Darmstadt
Satellite Application Facilities within the Member States
Centralised processing and generation of products
Decentralised processing and generation of products
Data dissemination via EUMETCast
Applications Ground Segment
Users

5. What is a SAF? SAF = Satellite Application Facility
part of the EUMETSAT application ground segment
complement production of standard meteorological products at EUMETSAT central facility
providing products and services to users
specialised on topics and themes
located at Weather Services in EUMETSAT Member and Co-operating States
developed and operated by consortium of partners
Satellite
Application
Facilities
SAFs

6. SAF What is a SAF? SAF is developed and operated in a consortium
lead by a Leading Entity (a National Meteorological Service)
involving partners in EUMETSAT Member and Co-operating states
National Meteorological Services
Other operational organisations
Universities and Research Institutes
SAF
Leading
Entity
Partner
Institute

7. How do SAFs work? Providing data products
Some SAFs
provide
data products
SAF
User site
User
For each pixel do
derive data
done
end

8. How do SAFs work? Providing Software products
Some SAFs
provide
software
products
SAF
User site
User
For each pixel do
derive data
done
end
For each pixel do
derive data
done
end

9. Nature of SAF products
The objective of SAFs is to provide operational products.
“Operational” means:
Continuity of product provision
Continuity of product improvements
Continuous quality monitoring
Committed user services
Validation and review before official release
Complete Documentation of Products, Algorithms, Validation Results
...

10. EUMETSAT’s 8 Satellite Application Facilities
Support to Nowcasting and Very Short Range Forecasting
Ocean and Sea Ice
Climate Monitoring
Numerical Weather Prediction
Land Surface Analysis
Ozone and Atmospheric Chemistry Monitoring
Radio Occultation Meteorology
Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management
SAF Consortium Member 6 7 8 5 4 3 2 1

11. Hydrology SAF
SAF on Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management
Leading Entity: Italian Meteorological Service (USAM)
SAF products focuses on
precipitation
soil moisture
snow parameters
utilisation of these parameters in hydrological models and NWP

12. Currently available snow products from H SAF
“operational”:
Snow detection (snow mask) by VIS/IR radiometry
Snow water equivalent by MW radiometry
“pre-operational”:
Effective snow cover by VIS/IR radiometry
Snow status (dry/wet) by MW radiometry

13. Snow detection by VIS/IR radiometry
Binary map of snow / no-snow situation.
Using Meteosat/SEVIRI observation
Different methods used for flat/forested and mountainous regions
Daylight product, output result every 24h
Probability Of Detection (POD): Flat / Forested areas: 85 % Mountainous areas: 70%
False Alarm Rate (FAR): Flat / Forested areas: %, Mountainous areas: 20%

14. Snow status (dry/wet) by MW radiometry
status of the snow mantle, whether it is wet or dry and, in time series, thawing or freezing.
Multi-channel MW observations SSMIS on DMSP (middle frequencies), and the algorithm is based on thresholding.
Requirements:
Hit Rate (HR): 80 %
False Alarm Rate (FAR): 10 %

15. Effective snow cover by VIS/IR radiometry
Multichannel (VIS, NIR, IR) analysis
AVHRR on NOAA and Metop satellites
Requirement: 65% overall accuracy
Validation against snow observing stations

16. Snow water equivalent by MW radiometry
Maps of snow water equivalent derived from MW measurements SSMIS on DMSP sensitive to snow thickness and density.
Algorithm based on assimilating MW brightness temperatures of several channels at frequencies with different penetration in snow, into a first-guess field built by the (sparse) network of stations measuring snow depth.
Requirements:
Flat / Forested areas: 20mm
Mountainous areas: 25mm

17. Interaction with Users: Services provided to users
Documents
ATBD
Product User Manual
Validation Report
Near-Real-Time Products
EUMETCast
SAF
User
For each pixel do
derive data
done
end
Software and
off-line products
Internet
(FTP, WEB)
EUMETSAT
Data Centre

18. Interaction with Users: Feedback provided to SAFs
For each pixel do
derive data
done
end
User
User
Helpdesk
Workshops
Beta user
programme

19. SAF Network Phasing SAF MSG EPS MTG NWC SAF OSI SAF O3M SAF NWP SAF
CM SAF
ROM SAF
LSA SAF H -
Developments and Initial Operations CDOP
CDOP
CDOP 3
MSG
EPS
MTG
EPS-SG

20. Synergy: Research -> Operations
SAFs embedded programmatically in the EUMETSAT mandatory programmes, currently secured until 2022.
Current proposal for a EPS Second Generation Programme foresees funding for SAF development and operations until 2032.
The purpose and commitment of SAFs is to:
deliver operational products addressing requirements of the EUMETSAT member states
develop new products implementing mature retrievals validated by Research (transition from Research to Operations)
Next SAF development and operations phase (CDOP-3 for ): proposals expected end of 2015.

21. SAF implementing mature research algorithm
Own Algorithm Development
Implementation in processing chain
Operational Data
products

22. SAF implementing mature research algorithm
Own Algorithm Development
External Algorithm Development
Implementation in processing chain
Operational Data
products
Operational Data
products

23. Summary SAF = Satellite Application Facility
providing products and services to users on an operational basis with a long-term perspective
specialised on topics and themes
located at Weather Services in EUMETSAT Member and Co-operating States
developed and operated by consortium of partners
part of the EUMETSAT application ground segment
complement production of standard meteorological products at EUMETSAT central facility in Darmstadt
Data and software are usable free of charge

24. BACKUP SLIDES

25. Why SAFs ? Facts and Objectives
New generation of Meteorological Satellites (MSG and Metop as well as MTG and EPS-SG) have much wider areas of application
specific expertise available in EUMETSAT's Member and Cooperating States
Objectives:
SAF concept encourage the utilisation of existing skills and infrastructure in Member- and Cooperating States for developing geophysical data products and services
Facilitating cost-effective exploitation by ensuring services are distributed in the most appropriate way
SAFs improve the ability of EUMETSAT Member States to exploit satellite data
Fostering development of cooperation with non-Member States and other organisations

26. Rapidly developing Thunderstorm Product
Nowcasting SAF
“Support to Nowcasting and Very Short Range Forecasting” (NWC SAF)
established to utilise the new data from Geostationary satellites (Meteosat and others) and the polar platforms (Metop, NOAA, Soumi NPP) for enhancing Nowcasting
Development of Software packages for the operational extraction of products relevant to Nowcasting and for local installation
Leading Entity is the Spanish Meteorological Agency AEMET in Madrid
Regular updated software packages since October
Rapidly developing Thunderstorm Product

27. Sea surface temperature
Ocean and Sea Ice SAF
Sea surface temperature
Ocean and Sea Ice (OSI) SAF routinely produces and disseminates products characterising the ocean surface and the energy fluxes across the sea surface
Operationally produces information on the sea ice characteristics (extend, concentration, …)
Leading Entity is Météo-France in Lannion
OSI SAF distributes near real-time products based on NOAA, MSG, Metop, Oceansat, DMSP and GOES data
Sea ice concentration

28. Ozone SAF SAF on Ozone and Atmospheric Chemistry Monitoring (O3M SAF)
developed for the processing of data on ozone, other trace gases, aerosols and ultraviolet radiation
Emphasis on the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME-2) and IASI on EPS (Metop)
Leading Entity is the Finnish Meteorological Institute FMI, Helsinki
First release of products in Summer 2007

29. Climate Monitoring SAF
SAF on Climate Monitoring
generates and archives high-quality data-set for specific climate application areas
Currently concentrates on:
cloud parameters
radiation budget parameters
atmospheric humidity
Leading Entity is the German Weather Service DWD, Offenbach
NOAA-AVHRR based data operationally produced since November 2004, MSG based data from October 2005, Metop data used since 2009.
Climate Data Records: 20 years of SSM/I Water Vapour information released in 2009.
NOAA-AVHRR based 20 years of homogeneous data record (clouds, surface radiation) released 2012
Upcoming Climate Data Records based on SEVIRI, ATOVS, SSM/I

30. NWP SAF SAF on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP SAF)
aims at increasing the benefits to Met.- Services from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
develops advanced techniques for the effective use of satellite data
development and maintenance of RTTOV radiative transfer model, ATOVS and AVHRR Pre-processing Package (AAPP)
Leading Entity is the UK MetOffice, Exeter

31. ROM SAF SAF on Radio Occultation Meteorology
GRAS: Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding flown on EPS/Metop satellites
near real-time and offline:
sounding data (temperature, pressure, humidity)
corresponding validation products, and
assimilation software
The Leading Entity is the Danish Meteorological Institute DMI, Copenhagen
Software packages released since 2007, first NRT product dissemination in October 2008

32. Land Surface Analysis SAF
SAF on Land Surface Analysis (LSA SAF)
established to increase the benefit from MSG and EPS data related to land, land- atmosphere interaction and biospheric applications
Generates operationally data services related to Surface Radiation, Vegetation and wild fire
Leading entity is the Portuguese Institute for Meteorology IM, Lisbon

33. Hydrology SAF
SAF on Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management
Leading Entity: Italian Meteorological Service (USAM)
SAF products focuses on
precipitation
soil moisture
snow parameters
utilisation of these parameters in hydrological models and NWP

34. SAF Development and Service Model
Beta-User
Tasks
SAF Research
and Development
SAF Operations
Initial Objectives
Initial and new User Needs
Needs for Changes and Improvements
Delivered SAF Services
Validated Products
User Provided Operational Feedback

35. SAF Development and Service Model
CDOP review logic
Previous Phase
Committed operations baseline
Operational Readiness Reviews
ORR
Products
Distribution
Development
Life Cycle
of new operational chains
updated
baseline
Operations
Reporting
User Support
Provision
Requirements
Reviews
Product Consolidation Reviews RR
PCR OR
updated
baseline
New/enhanced
Products
Definition
Products
Improvement
Implementation
User Workshops
and Consultation
Operation Reviews

36. CDOP-2: Second slice of the Continuous Development and Operations Phase
SAF Network after 2012:
funding for 5 years of CDOP-2 and 5 more years for a CDOP-3 foreseen within the MTG budget
CDOP-2 started March 2012
Operational Continuation of existing products
Development of new products and services (list of committed SAF products soon to be available).
Preparation activities of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) based products
Exploitation of synergies within the Application Ground Segment (SAF Network + Central Facilities)
Reprocessing and homogeneous data set generation (e.g. for climate applications)
Integration and interfacing with other initiatives: GMES, WMO SCOPE-CM, EUMETCal, GHRSST, GODAE, ESA CCI, etc.

37. Examples for new Developments in CDOP-2
Long-term satellite data records:
CM SAF: Meteosat since 1982
O3M SAF: GOME-2 since 2006
OSI SAF: Sea Ice since 1978, Sea Surface Temperature since 2002
ROM SAF: Reprocessing of all GNSS-RO missions (since 1995)
LSA SAF: reprocessing of SEVIRI products (since 2002)

38. Application: PV GIS Country-scale and Europe / Africa Maps
PV GIS also provides spatial maps for each European country of the solar energy potential (here for optimally-inclined PV modules for Germany) and the PV potential for Europe. CM SAF data is used to generate these freely available maps.

39. Application: SMA Solar Checker
The freely available Solar Checker iPhone app by the company SMA uses the PV GIS data base to derive the solar energy potential: Put the iPhone on your roof; using GPS, compass and balance, the App determines the orientation of the roof and calculates the estimated energy yield and the estimate rate of return for a potential PV module.
Products
Plant Planning

40. Examples for new Developments in CDOP-2
Bringing external developments into operations:
O3M SAF: IASI products developed at LATMOS
LSA SAF: NDVI (vegetation index from VITO, Belgium)
NWC SAF: Precipitation based on cloud microphysics (KNMI)

41. V2013, GEO-CRRv4.0 outlook
CTMP Function: Based on the one developed by Roebeling and Holleman*
Cloud Top Microphysical Properties used by this algorithm:
Phase (Ph)
Effective radius (Reff)
Cloud water path (CWP)
Two steps:
1.- Delimitation of the precipitation area
2.- Assignment of rain rates
(*) Roebeling, R. A. and I. Holleman, 2009: SEVIRI rainfall retrieval and validation using weather radar observations. J. Geophys. Res., VOL. 114, D21202.
Liquid water path (LWP)
Ice water path (IWP)

42. PREPARATIONS FOR V2013 – DAY-TIME ALGORITHM Example over Spain
22th August 2008 at 14:00 UTC
CRR (3D Matrices)
CRR (CTMP function)
Radar (PPI) 42

43. PREPARATIONS FOR V2013 – DAY-TIME ALGORITHM Comparison: 3D Matrices vs CTMP function
Dataset:
Spain: 46 days, May-September 2008, 10:00 – 14:00 UTC every 30 min
RMS error decreases with CTMP function because precipitation maxima are better located and precipitation
pattern is more accurate.
False alarms increases 1% while probability of detection increases 24% for this dataset. 43

44. Examples for new Developments in CDOP-2
New satellite sensors:
OSI SAF: OSCAT based wind products
H SAF: GPM data
NWC SAF: Soumi NPP VIIRS, additional GEO imager
ROM SAF: cosmic
Preparation for MTG and EPS-SG

45. Development of PR-OBS-2
Precipitation rate at ground by MW cross-track scanners
Rome, Italy
Flash Flood
20 Oct 2011
8:20 UTC
MetOp-A
AMSU/MHS
NN trained with
Cloud Dynamics and Radiation Database CDRD
New Version
NN trained with global
Cloud Radiation DatabaseCRD
CDOP-1
Initial Version
Operational
H02
Neural Network algorithm trained with a global CRD: not optimized for Europe/Mediterranean area; using different CRM than H01
Ver. 1
Under verification
Operational Dec. 2012
Correction of corrupted channels [i.e., MetOp-A, AMSU-A Channel 7 (54 GHz)]
Generation of a new version of the neural network algorithm, trained by the same CDRD as H01:
Representativeness for Europe/Mediterranean basin
Harmonize products from cross-track and conical MW scanners
Improvement of the screening procedures (under particularly unfavourable backgrounds (e.g., snow cover, coastlines)
Quality flag and indication of phase (under verification)
H02A
H-SAF Area
H02B
Extension to Full Disk Area (exp. op. 2014)
Ver. 2
H18A
H-SAF area: introduction of SSI index. (exp. op. 2017)
H18B
Full Disk Area (exp. op. 2017)
CDOP-2

46. Concept of the Hydrological Validation
H-SAF workshop, , Roma 46

47. Test catchments of the Hydrological Program
H-SAF workshop, , Roma 47

48. Examples for new Developments in CDOP-2
New product developments:
NWC SAF: Convection Initiation, Extrapolated Imagery, precipitation approach
O3M SAF: trace gases (Formaldehyde, BrO, ..) and aerosol properties from GOME-2
LSA / CM SAF: long-wave surface radiation from SEVIRI