I. Introduction
The aim of this case study is to describe the synoptic situation in which the windstorm was initiated and developed, and to describe its characteristics by means of satellite, radar and lightning data and numerical simulation.
II.Description of the synoptic situation
As the title of this chapter indicate, here you can find an overview of synoptic situation over Europe, generally, with emphasis on wider Belgium area.
III.Numerical simulation
The non-hydrostatic WRF model of 2.7 km horizontal resolution was used for experimental forecasts of thunderstorms over Belgium.
IV. Synoptic scale processes on the European satellite images
In European-scale cloud and WV patterns one can see the SW-NE-direction dark stripe across France and Belgium, which played an important role in the storm's development and in the downdraft intensity.
V. Radar data
The radar imagery showed a bow echo in the studied storm system at several time steps
VI. Lightning data
About 24000 CG lightning strokes were detected on this day in and around Belgium. Lightning data is obtained by a SAFIR lightning detection network operated by RMI.
VII. Satellite data and products
In this section the pre-convective environment will be studied first on the basis of satellite imagery, then the convection initiation, and lastly the mature stage.
VIII. Summary
This chapter summarizes all the factors that are responsible for such catastrophic weather event.