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\t\t\t\t\t\t05\/06\/2025<\/span> The Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite (MTG-S) will generate a completely new type of data product, especially suited to nowcasting severe weather events. Here are five ways in which Europe\u2019s latest weather satellite will change how we forecast weather.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n From an orbit 36 000 km from Earth, the MTG-S1 satellite is set to revolutionise the way we forecast severe weather. Unlike the imaging satellites, which complete the constellation of the MTG mission, MTG-S1 uses its Infrared Sounder to capture data on temperature, humidity and trace gases. Its data is used to generate three-dimensional maps of the atmosphere.<\/p>\n This data will help to detect and predict rapidly evolving and potentially dangerous weather systems. It will support applications to provide more accurate weather warnings, helping communities prepare for storms, alert pilots to areas of invisible turbulence and support plans to mitigate climate risks \u2013 ultimately saving lives and reducing damage to property and infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cThis mission will change forecasting, using innovative space technology to bring us three-dimensional data on the atmosphere and enabling faster responses to extreme weather,\u201d said Simonetta Cheli, ESA\u2019s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, adding, \u201cThroughout the development of this mission, I\u2019ve been impressed by the dedication and expertise shown by the teams across ESA and our European partners, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their spirit of cooperation. Their hard work means that this mission will contribute to better forecasting to benefit citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Until now, Europe’s fleet of geostationary weather satellites has relied exclusively on imagers. These instruments take high-resolution images of Earth and are invaluable for tracking cloud cover and storm systems. But imagers provide two-dimensional data, showing what\u2019s happening at the top of the atmosphere, but not what lies beneath.<\/p>\n The Infrared Sounder on board MTG-S1 introduces an entirely new capability by measuring infrared spectra in each of its pixels. Using this information, scientists can detect atmospheric properties such as temperature and humidity vertically as well as horizontally. The technology used \u2013 called imaging Fourier-Transform Spectrometry \u2013 detects the unique \u2018fingerprints\u2019 created on infrared light waves when gases in the atmosphere emit or absorb infrared light.<\/p>\n \u201cMTG-S1 shifts us from flat images to fully three-dimensional views of the atmosphere,\u201d explains Tobias Guggenmoser, MTG-S Lead Payload Engineer at ESA. \u201cBy capturing 1700 infrared channels every half-hour, we can slice the sky into layers \u2013 tracking temperature, moisture and even trace gases \u2013 so forecasters see exactly what\u2019s happening at each altitude.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The term nowcasting refers to forecasting on short timescales, from just minutes up to a few hours in advance. This is critical for rapidly evolving events such as thunderstorms, tornadoes or flash floods. MTG-S1\u2019s ability to revisit Europe every 30 minutes and provide a vertical profile of temperature and moisture means forecasters get near real-time updates on atmospheric conditions.<\/p>\n The Infrared Sounder can be used to identify vertical air movements, including temperature inversions, where a warm layer traps cooler air below. Inversions can suppress storm activity until the inversion collapses, releasing energy in the form of heavy downpours or hail. Without vertical data, inversions are invisible to traditional imagers \u2013 but they become clear using MTG-S1\u2019s hyperspectral sounder.<\/p>\n \u201cSome types of storms develop very quickly, and the vertical dynamic of the atmosphere plays a central role in this process,\u201d says James Champion, ESA\u2019s MTG Project Manager. \u201cBy observing key markers such as temperature and wind speed in three dimensions and tracking them over time, scientists can detect these storms right at the start of their development, increasing the lead time for weather warnings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Turbulence is a perennial hazard for air traffic \u2013 causing both discomfort and danger for pilots and passengers. Sometimes the cause is visible, but sometime turbulence occurs even during clear weather. For example, turbulence can occur when wind rushes over mountain ranges, pushing air upwards in invisible waves that can travel for long distances. Volcanic ash plumes also pose a major risk for jet engines.<\/p>\n MTG-S1\u2019s vertical profiling of temperature and humidity, combined with wind estimates, allow meteorologists to pinpoint these hidden hazards.<\/p>\n \u201cAviation is one the most important areas that will benefit from the MTG-S1 satellite\u2019s data,\u201d notes James. \u201cBy providing a three-dimensional picture of temperature, wind and humidity that evolves over time, MTG-S1 will help weather agencies identify more of these turbulent regions and predict their paths more accurately. For airlines and air-traffic controllers, that means smarter flight planning.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Meteosat satellites have been providing large-scale weather datasets since 1977. Now MTG-S1 will add infrared sounding data to this body of information, enriching the climate record. As well as measuring temperature and humidity at different atmospheric levels, the Infrared Sounder can detect greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone.<\/p>\n \u201cWith MTG-S1, we\u2019re not only forecasting tomorrow\u2019s storms \u2013 we\u2019re also building the long-term records needed to track climate change,\u201d says James. \u201cData from the sounder will be processed by extremely complex algorithms to provide decision-makers with the information about the atmospheric make-up, enabling them to develop and implement more refined policies to mitigate against climate risks.\u201d<\/p>\n One effect of climate change is that it increases the likelihood of extreme weather. By improving nowcasting capabilities, MTG-S1 will help mitigate that growing danger.<\/p>\n On World Environment Day, MTG-S1 is a prime example of how space-based observing underpins efforts to produce timely and accurate data on severe weather, to track environmental change and monitor air pollution.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MTG-S1 will set a new standard as its Infrared Sounder is among the most complex and powerful hyperspectral sounders ever built for space. Identifying the right technology for the mission\u2019s goals \u2013 and ensuring it met ESA\u2019s challenging technical standards \u2013 required expertise across a wide range of disciplines.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Infrared Sounder is probably the most ambitious example of this technology to date,\u201d says Tobias. \u201cAnd as a weather satellite, it has to operate continuously without issues.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds, \u201cIn the ESA MTG team, we have people with experience of this type of instrument, as well as experts on everything from on-board data processing to precision mechanisms. This enabled us to guide the development not just of the sounder itself, but also our industrial partners’ capabilities, thereby laying the foundation for future generations of satellites.\u201d<\/p>\n The Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite (MTG-S1) will be launched not earlier than July 2025.<\/i>\u00a0It will carry the Copernicus Sentinel-4 instrument on board.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t0<\/span> likes<\/small><\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n1. A new dimension for weather forecasting<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n2. Faster warnings for severe weather<\/h2>\n
3. Making skies safer for air traffic<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n4. Supporting climate and the environment<\/h2>\n
5. Designed for the future<\/h2>\n
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