Real time product demonstration

for cloud products

All cloud products of the nwcsaf/pps are generated operationally in real time on data from the direct readout station in Norrköping. In addition to the local data also data from the ears-avhrr service received via EUMETCast are being used as well as, occassionally, direct readout data from neighbouring stations in Finland and Norway.
The cloud product imagery shown here is based on PPS version 2021.

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Cloud Top HeightCloud Top Height color legend
RGBRBG

More about the product demonstration

The pps software is being run in operational mode at smhi on direct readout data from the X/L-band station in Norrköping, and on ears-avhrr data received via EUMETcast. The cloud products are retrieved on the satellite swath and data are then mapped on a few map-projected sub-regions mainly covering the area of interest of Sweden. We have one small area over central Europe (germ) acting as a reference area for the nwc saf/pps users. (This area is possible to cover from most direct readout stations in Europe.)

NWP-data

The numerical model used in the reference system is ECMWF, retrieved with a spatial resolution of 0.25° and a temporal step of 3 hours, with base times of 00Z and 12Z. In addition to the surface level, pressure levels at 1000/925/850/700/ 500/400/300/250/200/150/100/70/50 hPa are used. Different NWP fields are used depending on the product.

RGB-images

Together with the PPS products is displayed one or a few RGB composite images. The following images are used, depending on satellite and instrument, and time of the day:

Image name Colour Channel(s)
overview    
  red 0.6 μm
  green 0.9 μm
  blue 11 μm
night_overview    
  red VIIRS DNB
  green VIIRS DNB
  blue 11 μm
night_fog    
  red 12 μm - 11 μm
  green 11 μm - 3.7 μm
  blue 11 μm

More information about RGB composites:
https://eumetrain.org/rgb-color-guide
https://satpy.readthedocs.io/en/stable/composites.html#built-in-compositors

Description of the default areas

The cloud products are being processed on various regional areas on, usually polar stereographic, map-projection. Areas may be added to or removed from the list of processing areas presented at this site. The location of the areas are illustrated below, displaying the 1km usgs landuse data used. The products may, however, also be processed on other regions with bigger or smaller coverage, and possibly utilising slightly reduced pixel resolution.

Germany land use germ, 285 kB
Northern Europe 1 km/px land use euron1, 1652 kB