Meteosat Third Generation the Case for Preparing National Users Contents

METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS CONTENTS

A word from the Director-General of EUMETSAT ��1

Meteosat Third Generation: a great leap ahead ��4

Tackling major weather-related economic risks ��5

Application scenarios for MTG data ��7

Getting ready – a national perspective ��13

Data access and processing ��13

Technical annex ��14 The MTG mission �� 14 Transitioning from MSG to MTG �� 16 Data and products from MTG services �� 17 Evolution of data access and dissemination �� 18 Getting ready for MTG: user familiarisation data �� 21 How EUMETSAT can help �� 22

Sources ��23 A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL 1 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION (MTG): OF EUMETSAT A GREAT LEAP AHEAD

The impact of severe storm events on In the run-up to the launch of the first Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is a highly innovative geostationary economies in Europe has significantly MTG Imager satellite, currently scheduled satellite system for Europe and Africa to support meteorological and increased over the past decade compared in Q4 2021, Member States are invited to to earlier decades, as shown in loss evaluate their respective elements of related environmental services, especially for improving forecasts from statistics maintained by the re-insurance meteorological data reception, processing several minutes up to a few hours (‘nowcasts’). sector. Hail, high winds, extreme rainfall and visualisation infrastructure and and related flash floods pose hazards to related human resources in light of the lives and property of European massively increased data volumes, citizens. The ability of National the novelty of data especially from the Forecasts such as these are the ‘last line Meteorological and Hydrological Services Lightning Imager (LI) and the InfraRed of defence’ in weather forecasting, vital to (NMHS) to forecast severe storms with Sounder (IRS), and new data formats protect the life and property of citizens in Lightning lead times of several minutes up to a few and means of data delivery. Additional the case of severe storm events, and for hours ahead provides a vital ‘last line of investments in national infrastructure complementing the skill of numerical Convection defence’ for vulnerable economic sectors may be required to ensure user readiness weather prediction models. MTG will also Winds such as transport, tourism, and for the when MTG data become available. provide important, novel data to further first responders in emergency services. enhance numerical weather prediction, air In support of the preparation by Member quality monitoring, and other applications. In preparing for the upcoming Meteosat State NMHS to MTG, I am enclosing the As the successor of the current Meteosat Atmosphere Third Generation satellites (MTG), package ‘MTG: The Case for Preparing Second Generation (MSG), MTG has the European NMHS are adding a powerful National Users’, intended to inform NMHS capability to fulfil the geostationary capability to their forecasting services: decision-makers and national satellite data requirements of Member 4-dimensional observations of the key administrations. The package highlights States, needed to continue supporting ingredients in severe weather that will the main improvements to weather and and improving applications and services at provide new insight into convective related environmental services expected national meteorological centres. The first processes, especially the formation and from the MTG mission, and provides MTG data are planned to be available in 2022. development of potentially dangerous technical details relevant for procurement ENABLING INNOVATION Figure 1: Artist’s illustration storms. A ‘4D Weather Cube’ such as this purposes as an annex. Along the same The MTG programme, adopted by Member of the ‘4D Weather Cube’, is composed of atmospheric soundings lines, I encourage all Member States to States of EUMETSAT in 2011, derives directly The lightning and infrared sounding enabled by Meteosat Third of temperature and humidity, derived wind participate actively in the MTG User from the EUMETSAT Convention. Furthermore, missions of MTG offer novel data types Generation instruments which information, lightning observations and Preparation Project (MTGUP), which EUMETSAT Member States are committed to to European users with high innovation probe the atmosphere in three imagery. All of these data will be fosters information exchange and the MTG mission for two main reasons: potential. Unprecedented information on the dimensions and with high collocated and available from a support among Member States. dynamic features of atmospheric moisture repeat cycle, for the first time geostationary orbit at high temporal VALUING CONTINUITY and temperature will be available every 30 over Europe. Forecasters will and spatial resolution. I wish you every success minutes over Europe at high vertical and be able to simultaneously track in preparing for MTG! Transitioning to MTG allows Member States horizontal resolution from the operational meteorological phenomena, MTG will constitute a massive leap to safeguard their investment in weather- geostationary infrared-sounding mission. such as convection, winds and forward with respect to the existing related services and skills that build on data By adding collocated spectral imagery and lightning activity, and, thus, more Meteosat Second Generation satellites from the current Meteosat Second lightning data to the ‘4D Weather Cube’, accurately detect and forecast that have been serving Member State Generation (MSG) satellites. While providing national services are expecting a rapidly developing high-impact NMHS reliably since the early 2000s: MTG higher resolution in space and time, the breakthrough in gaining precious prediction weather, like thunderstorms. data will provide continuity of observations spectral channels of the MTG imagery lead time through early detection of rapidly- from geostationary orbit and enable mission include the heritage of MSG. MTG developing high-impact weather events, innovation in weather forecasting at the Alain Ratier allows for the continuation of the Meteosat- such as severe storms. Among other uses, most critical timescales. It does so by Director-General based climate data record, going back to lightning data will provide air traffic providing vital and unique observations 1981, into the 2040s. In addition, new management with information on that better inform the forecast scenario opportunities arise from additional spectral electrically active storms. Air quality in the critical half an hour or hour ahead. imager channels, e.g. for creating ‘true monitoring over Europe will be enhanced, MTG data will also continue the ongoing colour’ imagery, or for better detecting and such as the measuring of nitrogen dioxide, Meteosat climate data record, starting in understanding clouds. Using MTG data, ozone and fine particles. Member States are 1981 and extending it well into the 2040s. Member States can preserve and enhance investing in the scientific development of the value of their existing MSG-related new methods and tools to exploit the applications and services. innovation potential of these data.

1 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 2 TACKLING MAJOR WEATHER-RELATED “Traditionally, the overall benefits accrued from ECONOMIC RISKS investment made in the meteorological and hydrological infrastructures were estimated to Among 30 global risks identified by the World Economic Forum in its 2018 be, in several countries, in [the] order of 10:1.” Global Risks Perception Survey, extreme weather events and natural disasters M. Jarraud are ranked as the top two global risks in terms of likelihood, and number two Former Secretary-General of WMO (World Bank, 20132) and three in terms of impact on economies; the risk of failure to mitigate climate change and adapt to climate change impacts come shortly after. In the national institutional landscape, data from MTG forming the ‘4D Weather National Meteorological and Hydrological Cube’ is particularly vital for nowcasting ECONOMIC Services (NMHS) are key providers of and very short-range forecasting severe Figure 2: Global Risks Landscape 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL information for reducing the major weather events up to a few hours. (World Economic Forum, 2018)1 GEOPOLITICAL economic risks associated with extreme Furthermore, satellite data are the 1: Risk very unlikely to happen SOCIETAL weather and natural disasters. The return dominant observational data source for 5: Risk very likely to happen TECHNOLOGICAL on investment in national weather service assimilation into global numerical weather has an estimated benefit-cost ratio of at prediction (NWP) models, which are at the least 2:1, and often 5-10:1 or more. core of weather forecasting services. Data 4.0 WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION from the current EUMETSAT Metop and EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS Using nowcasting techniques, weather future MTG Sounder and EPS Second prediction models, satellite and other Generation satellites are key in this regard. observational data, NMHS monitor and NATURAL DISASTERS predict weather-related extremes, and In addition, MTG will enable a range of provide authoritative advisories and improvements to the use of satellite data FAILURE OF CLIMATE CHANGE warnings to the public. in fire and fog monitoring, and open new MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION applications such as satellite-based air quality WATER CRISES Severe convective storms are some of the monitoring at high temporal frequency. most dangerous weather-related events in CYBERATTACKS Europe. Hazards associated with severe BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND storms include flash floods, hail, heavy ECOSYSTEM COLLAPSE FOOD CRISES rain, gale-force wind gusts, and lightning. “[For] a range of specific met/hydro LARGE-SCALE Over the period 2007-2017, the losses from SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES INVOLUNTARY MIGRATION 3.5 convective storms in Western Europe services in developed and developing INTERSTATE CRITICAL INFORMATION CONFLICT MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS amounted to around €35 billion4. INFRASTRUCTURE BREAKDOWN countries, for individuals, households, and 3.40 PROFOUND average SOCIAL INSTABILITY Satellite data make a substantial FAILURE OF a variety of economic sectors, benefit-cost FISCAL CRISES TERRORIST NATIONAL ATTACKS contribution to improving weather and GOVERNANCE ratios range from 2:1, to 36:1, and are UNEMPLOYMENT OR related services, i.e. in saving lives and FAILURE OF REGIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT DATA FRAUD OR THEFT OR GLOBAL GOVERNANCE ASSET BUBBLES property. Satellite data are important for IN A MAJOR ECONOMY often between 5 and 10:1.” FAILURE OF CRITICAL nowcasting techniques, especially in areas INFRASTRUCTURE STATE COLLAPSE with sparse coverage of ground-based OR CRISIS Valuing Weather and Climate: Economic Assessment of observing systems, such as over sea. ENERGY PRICE SHOCK FAILURE OF FINANCIAL Meteorological and Hydrological Services (WMO, 20153) MECHANISM OR INSTITUTION The rapid repeat cycle of geostationary ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES

FAILURE OF URBAN PLANNING

3.0 ILLICIT TRADE

UNMANAGEABLE INFLATION DEFLATION Impact 2.5 3.0 3.48 4.0 4.5 average Likelihood

3 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 3 APPLICATION SCENARIOS FOR MTG DATA

MONITORING AND NOWCASTING at a higher spatial resolution (1 km spatial DETECTING CONVECTIVE extending from the centre to the lower SEVERE CONVECTIVE STORMS sampling distance, upper panel) than is INITIATION, A PRECURSOR OF right of the scene indicates deeper available currently from Meteosat Second POTENTIALLY SEVERE STORMS low-level water vapour along a boundary. Monitoring, tracking and short-term Generation channels (3 km spatial Boundaries often serve as a focal point prediction (‘nowcasting’) of potentially sampling distance, lower panel). This, This example6 from the current American for convective initiation and sometimes severe storms will benefit greatly from the together with double sampling frequency Geostationary Operational Environmental storm formation later in the day7. At the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) on board (every 2.5 minutes compared to 5 minutes Satellite (GOES)-East Advanced Baseline same time, the visible channel (left-hand MTG. In this example, satellite imagery5 currently) enables forecasters to better Imager (ABI) over Kansas, USA, illustrates panel, 0.6 µm channel) shows clear skies shows a series of convective storms over see cloud top details, thus, more the capability of the future MTG imager to and no formation of clouds, which are a Central Europe. Areas of lowest cloud accurately assess storm intensity and provide early detection of a surface common precursor for convective top temperature and the most active make short-term predictions several boundary - a severe storm precursor. development. The boundary was evident Figure 4: Detection of low-level convection appear in dark red. The MTG minutes ahead. Valuable situational awareness and about 2.5 hours before the clouds formed, moisture over Kansas, USA (right FCI instrument will provide imagery potential nowcasting lead time can be therefore, giving the operational panel, in orange-red colours, gained from such imagery. Looking at the meteorologist additional lead time and, extending from below the centre difference between two ABI infrared therefore, the ability to provide earlier to the bottom of the scene), a Figure 3: Convective storm clouds over Central Europe, as seen from current channels (10.3 μm and 12.3 μm), the warnings. The below panel shows the precursor for potentially severe Meteosat imagery (lower panel) and with imagery simulating the higher-resolution right-hand panel shows low-level water same scene 3.5 hours later, with a fully storms, while conventional future MTG imaging mission (upper panel), enabling a better view of cloud top details vapour, one of the ingredients for severe developed convective system producing imagery and ground-based radar and, thus, more accurate assessments of storm intensity storms: the region displayed in red-orange severe wind and large hailstones. detect no signal (left panel)

Figure 5: Three and a half hours later, a fully developed hail storm in the same area as shown in Fig. 4

5 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 3 APPLICATION SCENARIOS FOR MTG DATA

FOG DETECTION FOR between two infrared channels (3.8 µm LIGHTNING MONITORING FOR TRANSPORT SAFETY and 11.5 µm), showing fog and low stratus STORM TRACKING OVER OCEANS clouds as white and cloud-free terrain in Fog detection benefits greatly from dark grey. The below panel demonstrates Severe convective storms are usually satellite imagery at higher spatial and the sharper delineation of fog-covered accompanied by large jumps in lightning temporal resolution. MTG imagery will be areas, mostly narrow river valleys, activity. The MTG Lightning Imager will, for Can monitor convection of higher resolution than from MSG: while in simulated FCI imagery compared the first time over Europe and Africa, beyond range of radar 11 of 12 spectral channels of the MSG to current, lower-resolution MSG provide continuous observation of total Long flash behind Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared SEVIRI imagery. lightning activity from space, including convective line Imager (SEVIRI) are available at 3 km cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground horizontal spatial sampling distance Fog monitoring is very important for flashes. This adds particular value to Identify gaps in storms and only one channel at 1 km sampling airport operations and air traffic control. detecting and monitoring convective distance, FCI hosts eight bands at 1 km Using imagery from the MTG FCI-like storms in otherwise data-sparse areas, and eight bands at 2 km sampling GOES ABI, the US National Weather such as over the ocean and over parts of distance. These are all available for Service has experienced a reduction Africa. This example9 shows lightning data scanning the full Earth disc every 10 of lead times for warnings over from the American GOES Geostationary gaps in storms, and observe long flashes Figure 7: Lightning activity minutes. Moreover, FCI has two bands San Francisco airport, thanks to Lightning Mapper (GLM) over a convective behind the convective line, all in an area monitored from space (in at 0.5 km and two other bands at 1 km 5-minute repeat cycle mesoscale rapid line in the Gulf of Mexico. The GOES GLM which is outside the coverage of ground- white-blue-magenta colours) sampling distance for rapidly scanning scan ABI imagery available at 0.5 km serves as a precursor for the MTG based weather radars and most lightning along a convective storm line Europe and adjacent areas every sampling distance and with short Lightning Imager. Using satellite-based detection networks. This is beneficial for (yellow-orange-red shades in 2.5 minutes. timeliness (~2 minutes). Incoming or lightning data, weather forecasters have issuing weather alerts and for providing background infrared imagery) dissipating fog can, thus, be better additional information to more precisely information to weather-sensitive economic over the Gulf of Mexico This example shows thin fog spreading monitored than with the old GOES imager monitor convective development, identify sectors, such as aviation. above central Bohemia (Czech Republic)8. (providing 1 km imagery every 15 The product focuses on low clouds minutes), alerts issued or lifted at shorter detection, based on the difference latency, leading to cost savings by airlines. AIR QUALITY MONITORING and many other air quality parameters over Europe, at a sampling distance of Air quality monitoring and management 8 km. NO2 is a key atmospheric pollutant Figure 6: Detection of early-morning fog over Czech Republic based on current Meteosat imagery is an important part of environmental caused by combustion processes (left panel), and with proxy data simulating future MTG imagery (right panel) allowing more precise regulation. The monitoring of air pollutants (vehicles, industry, households) and is a monitoring of fog location such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur major concern in many cities and dioxide (SO2), ozone, formaldehyde, and industrial areas. UVN data will be used fine particles is of increasing societal within the Copernicus Atmosphere importance. The Copernicus Sentinel-4 Monitoring Service (CAMS) and by many Ultraviolet, Visible and Near-infrared other users. MTG imagery and IRS Sounder (UVN) instrument will provide soundings are also expected to contribute hourly information on tropospheric NO2, to air quality monitoring.

Figure 8: Seasonal average NO2 tropospheric column map at horizontal resolution of 2 km; TROPOMI instrument on Sentinel-5P © ESA/KNMI, Henk Eskes

7 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 3 APPLICATION SCENARIOS FOR MTG DATA

FIRE DETECTION tool for detecting and fighting fires, ENHANCING NUMERICAL of an observing system simulation AND MONITORING detecting smoke, and mapping fire-burned WEATHER PREDICTION experiment, assessing the impact of 25 areas. The American forest service has simulated water vapour channels of IRS The fire events in Portugal and Greece used the fire detection capability of GOES to The MTG InfraRed Sounder (IRS) data will in the AROME regional weather model of during the European heat wave in 2018 improve tactical planning in its operations. be the first of its kind over Europe: probing Météo-France. It highlights the ability of cost lives, devastated property and burned atmospheric temperature and moisture the model to predict the atmospheric vegetation. Fire detection and monitoring The example below from the 2018 every 30 minutes is expected to lead to humidity profile against a control run (red using MTG FCI-type geostationary imagery Portugal fires showcases the future enhancements in nowcasting and very line), for three degrees of ’thinning’ the IRS Figure 11: Simulated MTG has become an important new application capability of MTG FCI (right-hand panel) to short-range numerical weather prediction dataset. The positive impact is significant infrared sounding data have a area, as experience in using the American more accurately monitor the location of (up to a few hours ahead), as well as in for lead times of up to 18 hours. IRS data demonstrated positive impact on GOES and the Japanese Himawari-8 fires compared to current Meteosat techniques blending the two methods. The are expected to help advance the ability regional weather modelling, by imagers shows: data at 0.5-1 km sampling imagery (left-hand panel)10. FCI also has a impact of IRS soundings in mesoscale of the model to correctly represent reducing the error of forecasting distance and rapid repeat cycle (2.5-10 new infrared channel (at 2.2 µm) for NWP models is being tested using moisture-related processes, such specific humidity and other minutes with MTG FCI) provide a powerful improved fire detection compared to MSG. simulations12. Figure 11 shows the result as convective development. meteorological parameters

Figure 9: August 2018 fires Specific humidity over Portugal mapped with Good Relative analysis error stdev change (%) Bad current Meteosat imagery (left 100 panel), and with proxy data IRS - 80 km simulating imagery from future IRS - 40 km MTG (right panel) 200 IRS - 20 km CTL 300

400

500 -25% The second example showing wildfires in 600 Botswana demonstrates the advantage that FCI will have over current MSG SEVIRI 700 imagery in locating fires and in estimating -15%

their intensity11. Atmospheric pressure level (hPa) 800 Figure 10: Bushfire line in Botswana as seen in imagery 900 from current Meteosat (left panel) compared to future MTG imagery simulated by proxy 1000 data (right panel). MTG imagery will enable more precise -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 detection of fire location and better fire intensity estimates.

9 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 4 GETTING READY - A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Member States are expecting a significant return on investment from using MTG Several NMHS have started user preparedness projects to address these “The Netherlands have significant data: improved nowcasting of severe weather events, a step change in air quality issues. User preparedness projects help monitoring, an enhancement to numerical weather prediction and an extension identify national priorities, define necessary economical interests related to scientific and technical developments, and transportation by air, water, and of climate data records. are a means to secure national resources. The return on investment in national land. Transport capacity planning will To fully realise these improvements, weather services has a benefit-cost-ratio benefit from improved observations “The MTG mission has massive potential to Member States need to verify to what of at least 2:1, and often 5-10:1 or more3. and forecasts enabled by MTG, next improve our weather and climate services. extent their national technical infrastructure WMO recommends initiating user and resources (Figure 12) are able to: preparedness projects at least three to the enhanced safety by better and We intend to leverage MTG data to improve years before a satellite launch13. more timely warnings in a densely our situational awareness, to enhance our ■■access the increased data rates and volumes; In terms of human and infrastructure populated area.” numerical weather prediction capability resources, Member States are advised to: ■■handle the novel data streams Paul de Valk and to extend into the future our ability to and their format in data processing ■■raise awareness among forecasters KNMI, The Netherlands monitor changes to our environment.” and visualisation systems; and other national users of the advent of new-generation data Simon Keogh ■■adapt local software, algorithms and their potential; Member States share information and Met Office, UK and products to MTG data; experience within the MTG User ■■assess whether the workforce in the Preparation Project (MTGUP), facilitated ■■ingest MTG data and products NMHS has the necessary skills to by the EUMETSAT Secretariat. When into applications. handle and interpret MTG data, formulating a user preparedness project Figure 13: MTG User Preparation “We expect from MTG data an improvement and identify training needs; for MTG, Member States should also Project (MTGUP): First User consider the preparation for other Workshop, November 2017; to our nowcasting and severe weather ■■assess the national infrastructure satellite mission data planned for the MTGUP fosters collaboration warnings, better rainfall estimates in requirements to manage the 2020s, such as from the polar-orbiting and sharing of knowledge across data flow and utilise the data EPS Second Generation or the Copernicus European NMHS as they prepare complex terrain, and better detection of fire in operational services. Sentinel satellites. for MTG events along the Adriatic coast.”

Nataša Strelec Mahović DHMZ, Croatia Figure 12: MTG-related data value chain, to guide the adequacy assessment of national infrastructure, and related investments

MTG Acquisition Processing Visualisation Applications Data

Training

Research and Development

11 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 5 DATA ACCESS 6 TECHNICAL AND PROCESSING ANNEX

Users of the current EUMETCast Europe service will need to upgrade their 6.1 THE MTG MISSION

reception and processing systems to cope with the data rates available as The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) INFRARED SOUNDING MISSION, of 2022, after launch and commissioning of the first MTG satellite (MTG-I1). programme encompasses the following ACHIEVED THROUGH THE INFRARED observation missions, for the benefit of SOUNDER (IRS) INSTRUMENT, enhanced weather and related A first over Europe, providing hyperspectral The MTG era will see satellite data rates reception and processing systems to cope environmental services: sounding information from geostationary growing at least tenfold, compared to with the data rates available as of 2022, orbit in two bands, a Long Wave InfraRed current MSG services. Therefore, users after launch and commissioning of the SPECTRAL IMAGERY MISSION, (LWIR: 700-1210 cm⁻1) and Mid Wave need to assess how fit for purpose their first MTG satellite (MTG-I1). Additional data ACHIEVED THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE InfraRed (MWIR: 1600-2175 cm⁻1) band data acquisition and processing systems access options, based on terrestrial COMBINED IMAGER (FCI), with a spatial sampling distance of around are, to ensure continuity of data services networks, are currently being explored Providing 16 channels in the visible and 4 km, every 30 minutes over Europe. The and to access new data streams. As a and tested by EUMETSAT. infrared spectrum with a spatial sampling Earth disc is split in four zones of equal result, users may need to invest in distance in the range of 1-2 km (also called size (called Local Area Coverage - LAC), upgrades to their systems. In relation to MTG data will be delivered in the NetCDF-4 Full Disc High Spectral resolution Imagery and numbered LAC 1 to LAC 4, from south this data evolution, the EUMETCast baseline format. Selected products will be (FDHSI)); and/or four channels with a to north. The scan pattern repeat sequence Europe service is undergoing a capacity made available in the World Meteorological spatial sampling distance in the range revisits each LAC zone in a manner adapted Figure 14: Evolution of data upgrade in the 2021-2024 timeframe. Organization (WMO) BUFR and GRIB 0.5-1 km (also called High spatial to the need of the end users. rates from current MSG to the Users of the current EUMETCast Europe formats, and other formats where required Resolution Fast Imagery (HRFI)). The full MTG operations service will need to upgrade their to continue an existing service. FCI scans the Earth disc in 10 minutes COPERNICUS SENTINEL-4 in support of the Full Disc Scanning SOUNDING MISSION Service (FDSS), or a quarter of the disc (i.e. The MTG programme comprises the Europe) in 2.5 minutes in support accommodation of the Copernicus Data Rate Evolution of MTG of the Rapid Scanning Service (RSS). Sentinel-4 sounding mission, achieved through the Ultraviolet, Visible and Near- 100 LIGHTNING IMAGERY MISSION, infrared Sounder (UVN) instrument, ACHIEVED THROUGH THE LIGHTNING covering Europe every hour and taking 80 IMAGER (LI) INSTRUMENT, measurements in three spectral bands Detecting lightning discharges taking (UV: 305–400 nm; VIS: 400–500 nm, NIR: place in clouds or between cloud and 750–775 nm) with a spatial sampling 60 ground continuously over almost the distance of around 8 km. full Earth disc, with a spatial sampling distance of 4.5 km at nadir. 40 Data Rate [Mbps] Data Rate PAYLOAD

20 MTG-I MTG-S MTG-I 1 FCI (Flexible Combined Imager) 0 2 LI (Lightning Imager) Current MSG MTG Initial MTG Partial MTG Full 3 DCS (Data Collection and Operations Operations Operations (FDSS, LI) ~2022 (adding IRS, (adding RSS) Retransmission Service) Sentinel-4) ~2024 ~2025 GEOSAR (Geostationary Search and Rescue Relay) 5 MTG-S 2 4 IRS (Hyperspectral InfraRed Sounder) 1 5 COPERNICUS SENTINEL-4 UVN 3 4 (Ultra-violet, Visible and Near-Infrared Sounder)

13 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 6 TECHNICAL ANNEX

APPLICATIONS BENEFITTING APPLICATIONS BENEFITTING 6.2 TRANSITIONING FROM FROM THE MTG SPECTRAL FROM THE MTG LIGHTNING MSG TO MTG IMAGER INCLUDE: IMAGER INCLUDE: The MTG system comprises two types MTG system is a comprehensive ground ■■detection of rapid atmospheric ■■improved monitoring and forecasting of three-axis stabilised satellites: MTG-I segment used to control the satellites, processes such as severe storms; of severe storms; (‘Imaging’) and MTG-S (‘Sounding’). When acquire and process the data and deliver fully deployed, the system will include two the extracted products to users worldwide. ■■monitoring of clouds, dust outbreaks, ■■enhanced lightning-related safety MTG-I satellites operating in tandem, one The following table provides the transition aerosols, fires, land surface changes for air traffic routing and control. scanning Europe and Africa every 10 schedule from the current Meteosat and a range of other phenomena. minutes, and the other scanning only Second Generation services based on Europe every 2.5 minutes, and one MTG-S Meteosat-10 and -11, to MTG starting in satellite. The other main component of the 2021 (schedules can be subject to change). APPLICATIONS BENEFITTING APPLICATIONS BENEFITTING FROM THE MTG INFRARED FROM THE COPERNICUS SOUNDER INCLUDE: SENTINEL-4 SOUNDING PLANNED SATELLITE PAYLOADS TRANSITION SCHEDULE (Status: April 2019) MISSION ON MTG INCLUDE: WITHIN THE MTG PROGRAMME ■■three-dimensional information on Launch & Rapid Scanning humidity, temperature, and wind, ■■enhanced air quality monitoring Satellite Instrument payload Year Commissioning 0° services Service to support monitoring and forecasting on an hourly basis over Europe; MTG-I1 Imaging (FCI, LI) 2021 MTG-I1 Meteosat-11 (parallel) Meteosat-10 of convective storms; MTG-S1 Sounding (IRS, UVN) MTG-I1 ■■estimates of the daily variation of trace MTG-I2 Imaging (FCI, LI) 2022 Meteosat-11 (parallel) Meteosat-10 ■■enhanced air quality monitoring, gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, MTG-I3 Imaging (FCI, LI) MTG-I1 through estimates of daily variation sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, MTG-S2 Sounding (IRS, UVN) 2023 MTG-S1 Meteosat-10 (parallel) Meteosat-11 of trace gases such as ozone and and aerosols. MTG-I4 Imaging (FCI, LI) MTG-I1 carbon monoxide. MTG-S1 2024 MTG-I1 Meteosat-11 MTG-S1 Meteosat-10 (parallel) 2025 MTG-I2 MTG-I2 MTG-I1 MTG-S1 Meteosat-11 (parallel) 2026 MTG-I2 MTG-I1 MTG-S1

15 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 6 TECHNICAL ANNEX

6.3 DATA AND PRODUCTS 6.4 EVOLUTION OF DATA FROM MTG SERVICES ACCESS AND DISSEMINATION

MTG data are delivered in the NetCDF-4 required to continue an existing service. Users of the current EUMETCast Europe service will need to upgrade their baseline format. Selected products will The following tables contain the planned be made available in the WMO BUFR and MTG data and products (Level 1, Level 2). reception and processing systems to cope with the data rates available as GRIB formats, plus other formats where of 2022, after launch and commissioning of the first MTG satellite (MTG-I1).

MTG LEVEL-1 DATA14 The MTG era will see satellite data rates Multicast technology and dissemination FCI LI IRS UVN growing at least tenfold compared to logic of the EUMETCast service remain Disseminated in Compressed using None Principal component scores None current MSG services – to be acquired, the same in the MTG era. EUMETCast near-real time CharLS algorithm: processed and distributed to users by users should be able to seamlessly 16 imager channels (Full Disc the MTG system ground segment; on transition to high rate acquisition of high Scanning Service), their part, users need to assess whether volumes of MTG data and products, 4 imager channels at high their data acquiring and processing provided they upgrade their reception and spatial resolution (Rapid systems are capable of accessing and processing systems to cope with the data Scanning Service) handling MTG data, to ensure smooth rates available as of 2022, after launch access to the new data streams and and commissioning of the first MTG Available from Uncompressed: Lightning Triggered Events Full spectral channels, Daytime Earth radiances continuity of data services. satellite (MTG-I1). data archive 16 imager channels (Full Disc Principal component scores and solar irradiances in NIR Scanning Service), and UV/VIS bands The prime user access to EUMETSAT On top of this step change induced by MTG, 4 imager channels at high data for time-critical applications such the 2020s will see the addition of data from spatial resolution (Rapid as weather forecasting and warning is other missions operated by EUMETSAT, Scanning Service) through the EUMETCast-Satellite DVB-S2 such as the polar-orbiting EUMETSAT reception technology (similar to satellite Polar System Second Generation (EPS-SG) TV). In the MTG era, for fulfilment of official and the Copernicus Sentinel missions MTG LEVEL-2 GEOPHYSICAL PRODUCTS14 duties of NMHS for safety-critical operated by EUMETSAT on behalf of the nowcasting and high-impact forecasting, European Commission. This leads to FCI LI IRS UVN EUMETSAT continues to rely on this further increases in total data volumes Disseminated in Atmospheric Motion Vectors Accumulated Flash Area Temperature profile Ozone Total Column technology to support its 4000+ user base and rates of EUMETSAT data services. near-real time, All Sky Radiance Accumulated Flash Radiance Humidity profile Ozone Tropospheric Column in the footprint of the EUMETCast Europe Users of these services are advised to take and available Clear/Cloud/Dust Accumulated Flashes Instability indices Nitrogen Dioxide Total service. Additional near-real-time and these changes into account when /Ashes Flag Column from data archive Lightning Flashes Ozone profile other data dissemination options, such as designing their future data access and Clear Sky Reflectance Lightning Groups Surface temperature Nitrogen Dioxide using terrestrial networks, are currently processing infrastructure. Cloud Analysis Tropospheric Column (land and sea) being explored. Fire Detection Sulphur Dioxide Surface emissivity (land) Formaldehyde Global Instability Indices 48 dBW Cloud products (detection, Figure 15: EUMETCast Europe Cloud Drop Effective Radius Glyoxal 47 dBW fraction, top pressure) Aerosol Index 46 dBW footprint Outgoing Longwave 44 dBW Irradiance at Top of Aerosol Layer Height 42 dBW Atmosphere 40 dBW Ozone Total Column Volcanic Ash

17 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 6 TECHNICAL ANNEX

MTG DATA RATE AND TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR FRACTION PER PRODUCT EUMETCAST EUROPE USERS

Figure 16: Evolution of MTG data rates and fraction EUMETCast Europe users have a range Regarding the low-noise block of data rate used per MTG product class of choices to prepare for MTG: at least one downconverter (LNB): separate antenna is required for each DVB Satellite (prime and backup), large enough ■■Downlink frequency band is in the for the high volume service. One additional Ku-band Data Rate Evolution of MTG spare/backup antenna is recommended 100 for professional users, to ensure ■■Each transponder works Full disc imaging (FCI) 13% uninterrupted service in case of antenna on a single Ku sub-band Rapid scanning (FCI) 80 23% maintenance. Depending on the distance ATM sounding L2 (IRS) 2% between the prime and backup satellite, ■■frequency band - can be high or low ATM sounding (IRS L1B) 60 4% 1% dual feed systems can be used to cover Lightning groups (LI L2) both. For each transponder, generally one ■■polarisation - can be horizontal Covariance matrix (IRS L2) 40 6% Fraction of Data DVB receiver is needed. Some multi-input or vertical; Cloud analysis product DVB receivers support simultaneous Data Rate [Mbps] Data Rate Rate per Product (FCI L2 OCA) 20 7% reception of multiple transponders. ■■A Quattro LNB is recommended Cloud top T, q (FCI L2 CTTH) for each antenna, in connection with 23% Water vapour (AC SAF L2) 0 multi-switches: such a configuration Current ~2022 ~2024 ~2025 11% Other 55 products can support all Ku sub-bands simultaneously, i.e. is ready to support 11% reception of any number of transponders from the same satellite

Figure 17: EUMETCast Europe data rate evolution. The full operational MTG capability is planned to be reached by 2026.

EUMETCast Europe Data Rate Evolution (Status: 1 April 2019) 600 MTG-S1 MTG-I2 Metop-SG-A1B1 S-4 to -A2B2 525 Metop-SG-B1 S-3B to -3D S-3 NG OPT S-3A to -3C 450 Metop-SG-A1 S-5 375 S-5P end, S-6B EPS/S-6A end ALT S-3/-6 NG 300 MTG-I1

Data Rate [Mbps] Data Rate 225 S-5P 150

0 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Jan-22 Jan-23 Jan-24 Jan-25 Jan-26 Jan-27 Jan-28 Jan-29 Jan-30 planned services

19 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 6 TECHNICAL ANNEX

6.5 GETTING READY FOR MTG: 6.6 HOW EUMETSAT USER FAMILIARISATION DATA CAN HELP

To ensure user readiness, it is extremely EUMETSAT distinguishes between: USER SUPPORT MTG USER PREPARATION important that users have access to data PROJECT (MTGUP) that will, in a best possible way, resemble ■■synthetic data - no scientific value, but The EUMETSAT User Service Helpdesk can the data that will be available from the realistic sizes and formats. Used for answer your questions regarding MTG. EUMETSAT is facilitating the preparation future instruments. user dataflow testing; Contact our team at [email protected] by Member States through the MTG User Preparation Project (MTGUP). It brings User familiarisation (test) data should have ■■simulated data - data used to test TRAINING together expert representatives from all the best possible maturity in data content data processing and visualisation Member States, fostering cross- and in format specifications attached to tools. These data are simulated by Building on years of experience in training institutional exchange of experience and different data. This is valid both for the forward Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) operational meteorologists, the EUMETSAT collaboration. The project also helps pre-launch development period and during calculations, based on NWP model training programme has started to focus on Member State experts liaise with technical post-launch commissioning activities. output; generally do not contain MTG applications. There will be a range of staff in the Secretariat on questions of: realistic spatial structure and opportunities for Member States and staff User test data can take different form, for temporal variability; of NMHS to engage. ■■science support; instance having more or less scientific Figure 18: Example of simulated values, formats and sizes. However, ■■proxy data - data with valid scientific https://twitter.com/eumetsat_users ■■user information and communication; FCI L1c user familiarisation data different test data can be associated with content, to be used in early training on (VIS 0.6 μm channel, 10 April different user preparation processes, from instrument capabilities and application or contact [email protected]. ■■user familiarisation (test) data 2017). To reduce data volumes tailoring of data acquisition systems to areas, for example in test beds. These and format support; in near-real-time services such visualisation and utilisation of the satellite are real datasets from relevant existing as EUMETCast, the NetCDF-4 data in an operational environment. precursor instruments, e.g. 2.5 minute ■■user training; near-real-time FCI Level 1c data from Meteosat-10 serving as proxy data will only be available in for MTG-FCI. These data do not need to ■■data access support. compressed form using the be presented in the baselined format; CharLS algorithm. ■■pre-operational data - real satellite data

- 20.0 generated as part of the commissioning activities, but before full validation has been completed (no warranty on - 17.5 specified data quality). For the training and dissemination scenarios, these data will be used in the same manner - 15.0 as proxy data.

- 12.5 In 2019, the following simulated data were made available by EUMETSAT:

- 10.0 ■■FCI Level 1c data for format familiarisation; effective radiance - 7.5 ■■IRS Level 1b data for format familiarisation; - 5.0 ■■LI Level 2 data for user familiarisation.

- 2.5 To support user preparation efforts, EUMETSAT plans the release of further user familiarisation datasets with - 0.0 increasing scientific value.

21 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS 7 SOURCES

1. World Economic Forum, 2018: Global Risks Report 2018, 13th edition, World Economic 11. Right-hand panel: MODIS 3.9 µm channel at 1 km sampling distance simulating FCI Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, http://wef.ch/risks2018. imagery, and showing more detailed fire locations and a range of fire brightness temperatures (yellow-orange-red colours); left-hand panel: MSG SEVIRI 3.9 µm channel 2. World Bank, 2013: Strong, Safe, and Resilient: A Strategic Policy Guide for Disaster Risk at 3 km sampling distance, with brightness temperature saturating at 344 K (red pixels); Management in East Asia and the Pacific. Washington, D.C., https://openknowledge. Botswana, 29 August 2008. worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/13108/758470PUB0EPI0001300PUBDA TE02028013.pdf?sequence=1. 12. Guedj et al., 2014: An Observing System Simulation Experiment to evaluate the future benefits of MTG-IRS data in a fine-scale weather forecast model. EUMETSAT Fellowship 3. WMO, 2015: Valuing Weather and Climate: Economic Assessment of Meteorological and Report, 2014. Hydrological Services, WMO-No 1153. 13. WMO, 2017: Guidelines on Best Practices for Achieving User Readiness for New 4. MunichRe, 2019: NatCatService – Natural catastrophe statistics online, https://www. Meteorological Satellites, WMO-No. 1187. munichre.com/en/reinsurance/business/non-life/natcatservice/index.html. 14. [EURD] for FCI, LI, IRS; [S4HQ] for UVN; products planned by the EUMETSAT Satellite 5. M. Setvak; 11 June 2018, 11.37 UTC; SEVIRI data in lower panel, and upper panel with FCI Application Facility (SAF) are not shown. More details on the MTG data and products imagery simulated over Central Europe based on data from the VIIRS instrument on the baseline, algorithm theoretical basis documents, product guides, and forthcoming MTG NOAA Suomi-NPP satellite; combining 0.865 µm imagery (background) and 11.45 µm applications and user guides are being published on the EUMETSAT MTG webpages. (convective storms) to a ‘sandwich’ product.

6. Lindsey et al., 2018 : Using the GOES-16 Split Window Difference to Detect a Boundary prior to Cloud Formation, Bull. Am. Met. Soc. August 2018, http://doi.org/10.1175/ BAMS-D-17-0141.1 ; GOES-16 imagery, 15 June 2017, 15.32 UTC.

7. Purdom, J.F.W., 1976: Some uses of high-resolution GOES imagery in the mesoscale forecasting of convection and its behaviour. Mon. Wea. Rev., 104, 1474-1483, https://doi. org/10.1175/1520-0493 (1976)104<1474:SUOHRG>2.0.CO;2.

8. M. Setvak, J. Kerkmann; 16 Nov 2018, 01.37 UTC; simulated FCI imagery at 2 km spatial resolution based on data from the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA Suomi-NPP satellite (right panel), and SEVIRI imagery at approximately 5 km spatial resolution over Czech Republic (3 km spatial resolution at sub-satellite point, left panel).

9. G. Stano; 4 May 2017, 13.07 UTC; 1-minute GLM lightning group density; ABI 11.2 µm imagery (preliminary, non-operational data).

10. Right-hand panel: MODIS RGB imagery as proxy for FCI at 1 km spatial sampling distance; left-hand panel: RGB from MSG SEVIRI at 3 km spatial sampling distance; Portugal, Algarve, 5 August 2018.

23 METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION - THE CASE FOR PREPARING NATIONAL USERS MEMBER STATES

MEMBER STATES Eumetsat-Allee 1 @eumetsat

64295 Darmstadt www.facebook.com/eumetsat Germany www.youtube.com/eumetsat1

Tel: +49 6151 807 3660/3770 www.flickr.com/eumetsat Email: [email protected] eumetsatmedia EUMETSAT also has established cooperation agreements with organisations involved www.eumetsat.int www.linkedin.com/company/EUMETSAT in meteorological satellite activities, including the National Meteorological Services of Canada, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and USA