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The aim of this SAFNWC product is an Automatic Satellite Image Interpretation in terms of conceptual models (CM). CMs are syntheses of physical processes and the typical features they cause in satellite images, as well as in other synoptic material like for instance in numerical model output parameters. A CM diagnosis can be used for a deepening of synoptic diagnosis and for the early detection of ongoing meteorological processes, as well as for the determination of the stage of development within those processes.
PGE10 carries out the recognition of CMs in two ways:
Basic concept
The basic method is the use of pattern recognition methods, which are applied to extract fundamental information concerning the shape and location of typical cloud features. These pattern recognition methods are:
For each CM a combination of necessary and appropriate pattern recognition methods is applied. For a detailed description of the pattern recognition methods used for each CM see the relevant chapters in the User Manual "(UM v1.0)".
Conceptual model |
Chapter in the User Manual |
Cold front | 2.4.1.1 |
Cold front in warm air advection | 2.4.1.1 |
Warm front | 2.4.1.2 |
Occlusion | 2.4.1.3 |
Wave | 2.4.1.4 |
Developing wave | 2.4.1.4 |
Upper wave | 2.4.1.5 |
Front intensification by jet | 2.4.1.6 |
Dry intrusion | 2.4.1.7 |
Upper level low | 2.4.1.8 |
Comma cloud | 2.4.1.9 |
Enhanced cumulus | 2.4.1.10 |
Cumulonimbus | 2.4.1.11 |
Mesoscale convective system | 2.4.1.12 |
Cold air cloudiness | 2.4.1.13 |
Fibres | 2.4.1.14 |
Lee cloudiness | 2.4.1.15 |
Table 1: List of detected conceptual models in ASII
Introductory steps
After a preprocessing of the IR image, Atmospheric
Motion Vectors (AMV’s) using the standard cross correlation technique are
derived and motion-corrected difference images are computed. Then a basic
pattern recognition method namely image segmentation and classification, is
used. Segmentation divides the IR satellite image into sub-regions being
coherent in terms of brightness and texture. The classification process
assignes qualities of CM’s to these coherent areas.
Pattern recognition methods
Besides the basic pattern recognition methods mentioned
above, more complex pattern recognition methods are summarised below.
The identification of coherent areas of
sufficiently large size plays an important role e.g. in the recognition of
frontal systems and of S-shaped bulges (waves). The number of contiguous
pixels above a certain brightness (temperature) threshold is determined.
Contour lines encircles extended frontal areas. For this process, images
compressed by the Gauss pyramid method are used.
The recognition of S shapes is applied to contour
lines. The algorithm for the identification of S-lines is comprised of the
following steps:
Convective cells are recognisable by their local temperature (brightness) maximum and their compact circular or elliptical shape. The steps of their detection are:
The detection of dark stripes has the following principal steps:
The detection of fibres is based on an algorithm which was originally developed for the detection of black stripes in WV imagery. The fibre detection is based on a temperature threshold, a temperature gradient between the fibre and its surroundings, a radius in which the criterion for fibre is checked and a mesure for the spatial extension of the fibre.
The detection of cloud spirals is done via the
three following steps:
The method is based on the direction of texture elements, i.e. the direction in which the local features of the satellite image appear to be oriented. This parameter can be assessed quantitatively by applying a Sobel filter to the image, with subsequent filtering of noise by applying a series of median filters.
Streamlines of these texture elements are determined and, finally, the curvature of those streamlines is computed. A large curvature radius indicates straight streamlines, whereas a strong curvature is indicative for spiraled cloud features.
The final step is obtained via the so-called Hough knot method. In case of spirals, lines perpendicular to the texture elements will cut in a point called Hough knot.
MSG radiance values:
The following SEVIRI channels are required at full MSG
resolution, for the current and the previous slot:
ECMWF NWP data:
The ASII products deal with pattern recognition on a synoptic scale. For products of this kind, it is beneficial to consider an area as extended as possible.
The products will be derived every 15 minutes, and the
designations of analysed conceptual models are given on a grid with a mesh
size of ~70 km.
The ASII and ASIINWP products are output in separate BUFR files. These files contain a certain number (Version 2.4: 20) of telegrams which describe the longitudes and latitudes of the grid points where conceptual models are diagnosed. Details about the template of the BUFR telegrams can be found in the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD chapter 3.2.2).
As example, the 28th March 2011, 13 UTC has been chosen.
Visualisation of the ASII product (satellite information only):
Several frontal systems are detected showing warm (red w) and cold fronts (blue c). Lee cloudiness has been detected over southern Italy (yellow L) and and over Iceland. Two comma clouds (yellow co) were detected over the Arctic Sea and near Ireland.
Visualisation of the ASIINWP product (additional NWP fields):
The ASIINWP analysis shows similar results. Some deviations from the satellite analysis without model fields can nevertheless be observed. The cold front over Portugal is under warm air adevction (red c) as well as the cold front between Tunisia and Italy.For a complete list of the used symbols see table 2.
Figure 1: IR satellite image from 28th March 2011, 13 UTC analysed by the ASII product.
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Figure 2: IR satellite image from 28th March 2011, 13 UTC analysed by the ASIINWP product. |
Table 2a and 2b: Symbols used for the visualisation of the ASII
products.
2a: SAT: IR and WV satellite image as sole
input
2b: SAT+NWP: NWP fields are added to the
satellite image data