First results on a process-oriented rain area classification technique using Meteosat Second Generation SEVIRI nighttime data

Abstract. A new technique for process-oriented rain area classification using Meteosat Second Generation SEVIRI nighttime data is introduced. It is based on a combination of the Advective Convective Technique (ACT) which focuses on precipitation areas connected to convective processes and the Rain Area Delineation Scheme during Nighttime (RADS-N) a new technique for the improved detection of stratiform precipitation areas (e.g. in connection with mid-latitude frontal systems). The ACT which uses positive brightness temperature differences between the water vapour (WV) and the infrared (IR) channels (ΔT_WV-IR) for the detection of convective clouds and connected precipitating clouds has been transferred from Meteosat First Generation (MFG) Metesoat Visible and Infra-Red Imager radiometer (MVIRI) to Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI). RADS-N is based on the new conceptual model that precipitating cloud areas are characterised by a large cloud water path (cwp) and the presence of ice particles in the upper part of the cloud. The technique considers information about both parameters inherent in the channel differences ΔT_3.9-10.8, ΔT_3.9-7.3, ΔT_8.7-10.8, and ΔT_10.8-12.1, to detect potentially precipitating cloud areas. All four channel differences are used to gain implicit knowledge about the cwp. ΔT_8.7-10.8 and ΔT_10.8-12.1 are additionally considered to gain information about the cloud phase. First results of a comparison study between the classified rain areas and corresponding ground based radar data for precipitation events in connection with a cold front occlusion show encouraging performance of the new proposed process-oriented rain area classification scheme.