1. 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
Version July 2004

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. MTP: IR
Stau
Lee waves
Snow

7. 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

8. MTP: IR+VIS
Stau
Lee waves
Snow

9. 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

10. MTP: WV
Drying by sinking air
at lee side

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

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

13. 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

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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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