Severe convection over the Western Mediterranean (15 October 2003)

The images and animations presented below show a case of well-organised convection over the Western Mediterranean Sea. The unstable situation lasted for at least three days (14-16 October 2003) with rapidly developing storms occurring over Tunesia, Southern Italy and Spain (Balearic Islands). The most severe storms occurred on 15 October over the Mediterranean Sea close to Sicily, and on 16 October in the area of the Balearic Islands. In the first case, a long-lived storm with a well-developed flanking line developed within warm unstable air that had been pushed  into this area by an upper-level low situated over the Balearic Islands.  This storm, which reached cloud top temperatures of about -65°C, showed a V-shape with an area of higher cloud top temperatures to the lee of the overshooting top (see colour-enhanced IR10.8 image). The V-shape structure indicates with high probability that this storm was associated with severe weather phenomena (see also Storm over Hamburg on 9 June 2004). In the second case, a series of severe storms developed over and around the Balearic Islands.

Meteosat-8 Images Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC  Channel 12 (HRV)  Full Resolution (221 KB)  Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC  RGB Composite NIR1.6, VIS0.8, VIS0.6 Full Resolution (88 KB)  RGB VIS0.8, IR3.9r, IR10.8 (82 KB)  Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC  Channel 03 (NIR1.6) Full Resolution (289 KB)  Animation (15 October 2003, GIF, 4089 KB) Animation (14-16 October 2003, GIF, 12630 KB) Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC  Channel 09 (IR10.8)  Full Resolution (219 KB)  Animation (15 October 2003, GIF, 7851 KB) Animation (14-16 October 2003, GIF, 22625 KB) Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC Difference WV6.2-IR10.8 (zoom, colour-enhanced) Full Resolution (90 KB) Met-8, 15 October 2003, 08:00 UTC Channel 09 (IR10.8, zoom, colour-enhanced) Full Resolution (69 KB)

The images below show some Nowcasting products based on Meteosat-8 data that have been generated by the Nowcasting SAF. The top two images show the cloud type and the cloud top pressure products (at SEVIRI pixel resolution), which help the forecaster to carry outa detailed cloud analysis without having to look at the individual channels of Meteosat-8.
The bottom two images show the Automatic Satellite Image Interpretation (ASII) and the Rapidly Developing Storms (RDT) products (from the previous day), which are based on a textural and temporal analysis of the Meteosat-8 images (mainly the IR10.8 channel). The aim of the ASII product is an automatic image interpretation in terms of conceptual models (CM). A CM analysis can be used for detailed synoptic diagnosis and for the early detection of ongoing meteorological processes, as well as for the determination of the stage of development of these processes. The RDT product is intended to provide the forecaster with information about significant convective systems from storm-scale up to meso-alpha scale. It also helps to identify, track and monitor intense convective systems and rapidly developing convective cells.

Meteosat-8 Nowcasting Products Met-8, 15 October 2003, 11:00 UTC  Cloud Type Product Full Resolution (50 KB)  Animation (15 October 2003, GIF, 9165 KB) Animation (14-16 October 2003, GIF, 26955 KB) Source: Nowcasting SAF Met-8, 15 October 2003, 11:00 UTC  Cloud Top Pressure Product Full Resolution (53 KB)  Animation (15 October 2003, GIF, 8817 KB) Animation (14-16 October 2003, GIF, 25641 KB) Source: Nowcasting SAF Met-8, 14 October 2003, 06:00 UTC  Automatic Satellite Image Interpretation Product Full Resolution (99 KB)  Source: Nowcasting SAF Met-8, 14 October 2003, 06:00 UTC  Rapidly Developing Thunderstorms Product Full Resolution (110 KB)  Source: Nowcasting SAF

If you have any questions or queries about EUMETSAT, its products and services, please .