EUMeTrain: Case Study on severe Convection over Central Europe

Synoptic Situation

In this first chapter we will briefly look at weather events of these three days using the classical presentation of satellite material in combination with the relevant NWP fields to give some background on the synoptic situation. Starting with the surface charts analysed by KNMI of the three days the case persisted. In the first image of 21st June a waving front can be seen analysed over Germany. Ahead of the front some weak troughs are seen as well as an isolated low depicting the region with the severest convection over Czech Republic is taking place during that day. Click the "next" and "previous" button to toggle through the other surface charts.

KNMI: Surface chart analysis

The following time steps show that the frontal system is slowly moving eastward. In the set of satellite images we will later see where the highest activity of convection is found in respect to this front. The most interesting developments for 22 and 23rd June are taking place over Croatia where another front is crossing. We will later learn that along this front (triggered by the orography) some large scale convective cells rapidly develop.


21 June

Meteosat 9 IR10.8: Time sequence
The first chapter dealing with the synoptic situation describes the convective developments seen over Central Europe on 21 June using plain Meteosat 9 infrared 10.8 μm. The channel is appropriate as it pictures the ice in high clouds quite clearly. In a sequence of 15 minutes the satellite images are presented and described.
Meteosat 9 Enhanced IR10.8: Time sequence
In this chapter again Meteosat 9 infrared 10.8 μm are shown, but the images have been artificially colour enhanced. This will improve the discrimination of where the evolution from water into ice is taking place during the several convective stages. In a sequence of 15 minutes the satellite images are presented and described.


Meteosat 9 WV6.2: Time sequence
The chapter presents the several convective developments over Central Europe using Meteosat 9 WV6.2 channel. The channel is suitable as it gives an idea of the upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) and gives a view of the upper air dynamics. For the 21st June a sequence of 15 minute images are presented.


Meteosat 9 HRVIS: Time sequence
This chapter will show the HRVIS images of 21st June. Especially with the smaller scale cells the high resolution channel allows us a very good monitoring of the convective development. In a sequence of 30 minutes the satellite images are presented and described.


Meteosat 9 in combination with range of NWP fields: Time sequence
In this chapter you will be able to look at the 6 hourly satellite images in combination with a range of NWP fields. That way you will be able to relate the development and growth of convective cells with synoptic parameters like the geopotential height at 1000 and 300 hPa and to Thickness, Temperature Advection and Divergence/Convergence at different levels.


22 and 23 June

Meteosat 9 IR10.8: Time sequence
Using plain Meteosat 9 infrared 10.8 μm satellite imagery the convection over Central Europe and especially Croatia on 22nd and 23rd June is pictured and described. The images are 15 minutes apart.
Meteosat 9 Enhanced IR10.8: Time sequence
Again the 15 minute sequence of Meteosat 9 infrared 10.8 μm is but now the images are artificially enhanced to improve the discrimination of the convective cells. In a sequence of 15 minutes the satellite images are presented and described.
Meteosat 9 WV6.2: Time sequence
Using Meteosat 9 WV6.2 channel the convection is discussed. The channel is suitable as it gives an idea of the upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) and gives a view of the upper air dynamics. For the 22nd and 23rd June a sequence of 15 minute images are presented.
Meteosat 9 HRVIS: Time sequence
This chapter will show the HRVIS images of 22nd June. Especially with the smaller scale cells the high resolution channel allows us a very good monitoring of the convective development. In a sequence of 15 minutes the satellite images are presented and described.
Meteosat 9 in combination with range of NWP fields: Time sequence
In this chapter you will be able to look at the 6 hourly satellite images in combination with a range of NWP fields. That way you will be able to relate the development and growth of convective cells with synoptic parameters like the geopotential height at 1000 and 300 hPa and to Thickness, Temperature Advection and Divergence/Convergence at different levels.