Automatic cloud analysis - the Nowcasting SAF project

The SMHI meteorological group is involved in the Nowcasting Satellite Application Facilities (NWC SAF) initiated by EUMETSAT. The NWC SAF derive and develop products for nowcasting and very short range forecasting.

The general objective of the NWC SAF is to provide operational services to ensure the optimum use of meteorological data in nowcasting and very short range forecasting. At SMHI we are responsible for the development and maintenance of a software package (the PPS-package) to process the products from data gathered from NOAA and Metop satellites.

The NWC SAF products consist of cloud and wind products from imagers (MODIS, AVHRR, VIIRS, SLSTR, MERSI2) on polar orbiting satellites.

Cloud products

Some examples of cloud products from the Nowcasting-SAF. 

Satellite imagery of current weather situation in Northern Europe 2023-04-09 at 09:45 UTC
Current weather in Northern Europe April 9, 2023 at 09:45 UTC. Foto nwcsaf.smhi.se Enlarge Image
Satellite image with Cloud probability 0-100%
Cloud probability. Enlarge Image
Satellite image with Cloud type and legend for the colors
Cloud Type. Enlarge Image
Satellite image showing cloud top temperature and height, with legend for colors.
Cloud top Temperaure and Height. Enlarge Image
Satellite image showing Cloud phase, with legend for colors.
Cloud phase. Enlarge Image