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Remote sensing in Weather applications

• We produce algorithms and prototypes of products for FMI forecasters and customers. Our tools include– satellites– weather radars– lightning detection systems– extrapolation, nowcasting and mesoscale analysis

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• Winters in Finland are dark and cold - the sun elevation is low also daytime. This is one of the challenges to satellite meteorology (SEVIRI, AVHRR, MODIS, MERIS...)

• Network of 7 modern radars gives the best estimate of precipitation

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FMI is active in international satellite research, development and education programs

Research and development is oriented in providing tools for operational weather service

– Mesoscale meteorology– For snow ploughing, forest fires, floods

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FMI Satellite Activities International activities in EUMETSAT, ESA, NOAA, EUMETNET and WMO

Nordic co-operation; NOSC, NOMEK

Using instruments on both polar and geostationary satellites (AVHRR, SEVIRI, MODIS, MERIS...)

Research focus: clouds, fog, low cloud, extreme weather (convection)

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Satellite data reception

In Helsinki

NOAA series

Meteosat-7

Meteosat-8

In Sodankylä

EOS/Terra, Aqua

Future METOP

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7 radars cover most of the country

own maintenancedata availability 99.4%

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Advanced applications

• Improved quality of accumulation

– adjustment for snow/rain/mix

– correction for vertical reflectivity profile

• Target identification

– hail

– non-meteorological echoes

• Nowcasting of precipitation

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Lightning locationLightning location

• Ground lightning location system: present model in operational use since 1998

• Example: intense day May 26, 2003

• 5 sensors in Finland, several connected from Scandinavia

• Cloud lightning location system in SW (3 sensors) in test use