Author
Jarno Schipper - ZAMG
Introduction
This small case study deals with the development of several convective cells on the leading side of a NS oriented frontal band on 24th May 2005. The case of prefrontal convergence becomes interesting due to the associated hail reports and the effects this has on agriculture. The development and the onset of this convective event is shown using several MSG channels and RGBs as also several NWP parameters. The case was proposed by the Latvian Meteorological Service to EUMeTrain. If you think you can contribute to this case or to EUMeTrain by providing us dates of interesting case studies which happened in your region of interest, we encourage you to please write us using the above e-mail address.
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Meteosat 8 Enhanced IR10.8 image - 24th May 2005:14 UTC Several convective cells (blue) can be seen over Central Europe. |
Synoptic situation
From the synoptical chart of May 24th 2005 an elongated frontal system can be observed stretching from Norway over Central Europe into the Mediterranean. In the following chapters one can see in the satellite images that on the leading side of this frontal system several convective cells emerge. The theory behind this is that large quantities of cold air from aloft descend in downdrafts along the front forming a wedge of cold air. This cold airmass then causes warm, moist and unstable air to rise and a squall line develops well in front of the cold front.
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IR Imagery (Meteosat 8 channel 10.8): time sequence
This chapter shows and briefly describes the development in a sequence of hourly images.
Enhanced IR Imagery (Meteosat 8 channel 10.8): time sequence
This chapter shows the enhanced infrared images. This will provide a easier discrimination of the convective cells embedded into the frontal system.
WV Imagery (Meteosat 8 channel 6.2): time sequence
In the following chapter the cloud configurations can be better related to the upper level dynamics using Meteosat 8 - WV6.2 channel.
Meteosat 8 (HRVis + HRVis + IR10.8) - RGB: time sequence
The development and dissolution of new and old convective cells, respectively, are desribed using an artificial RGB which is produced of the High Resolution Visible channel and the IR10.8 channel. The satellite images are each time 1-hour apart.
Meteosat 8 - Airmass RGB: time sequence
The development and especially the physical background is pictured using the Airmass-RGB. The satellite images are each time 1-hour apart.