CLAAS-3: The third edition of the CM SAF cloud data record based on SEVIRI observations

Author(s):
Benas, N.; Solodovnik, I.; Stengel, M.; Huser, I.; Karlsson, K.-G.; Hakansson, N.; Johansson, E.; Eliasson, S.; Schroder, M.; Hollmann, R.; Meirink, J.F.
Publication title: Earth System Science Data
2023
 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 11
2023
DOI: 10.5194/essd-15-5153-2023
Abstract:
CLAAS-3, the third edition of the Cloud property dAtAset using SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager), was released in December 2022. … CLAAS-3, the third edition of the Cloud property dAtAset using SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager), was released in December 2022. It is based on observations from SEVIRI, on board geostationary satellites Meteosat-8, 9, 10 and 11, which are operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). CLAAS-3 was produced and released by the EUMETSAT Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF), which aims to provide high-quality satellite-based data records suitable for climate monitoring applications. Compared to previous CLAAS releases, CLAAS-3 is expanded in terms of both temporal extent and cloud properties included, and it is based on partly updated retrieval algorithms. The available data span the period from 2004 to present, covering Europe; Africa; the Atlantic Ocean; and parts of South America, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. They include cloud fractional coverage, cloud-top height, phase (liquid or ice) and optical and microphysical properties (water path, optical thickness, effective radius and droplet number concentration), from instantaneous data (every 15min) to monthly averages. In this study we present an extensive evaluation of CLAAS-3 cloud properties, based on independent reference data sets. These include satellite-based retrievals from active and passive sensors, ground-based observations and in situ measurements from flight campaigns. Overall results show very good agreement, with small biases attributable to different sensor characteristics, retrieval/sampling approaches and viewing/illumination conditions. These findings demonstrate the fitness of CLAAS-3 to support the intended applications, which include evaluation of climate models, cloud characterisation and process studies focusing especially on the diurnal cycle and cloud filtering for other applications. The CLAAS-3 data record is publicly available via the CM SAF website at 10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLAAS/V003 (Meirink et al., 2022). © 2023 Copernicus GmbH. All rights reserved. more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Climate data integration into wheat performance evaluation reveals large inter-varietal responses

Author(s):
Raymond, Joanna; Penfield, Steven; Lovett, Andrew; Mackay, Ian; Philpott, Haidee; Simpson, Conor John Christopher; Dorling, Stephen
Publication title: Environmental Research: Food Systems
2024
 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 1
2024
DOI: 10.1088/2976-601X/ad90e4
Abstract:
There is an urgent need to adapt crop breeding strategies to boost resilience in the face of a growing food demand and a changing climate. Achieving t… There is an urgent need to adapt crop breeding strategies to boost resilience in the face of a growing food demand and a changing climate. Achieving this requires an understanding of how weather and climate variability impacts crop growth and development. Using the United Kingdom (UK) as an example, we evaluate changes in the UK agroclimate and analyse how these have influenced domestic wheat production. Here we quantify spatial and temporal variability and changes in weather and climate across growing seasons over the last four decades (1981–2020). Drawing on variety trial data, we then use statistical modelling to explore the interaction between genotype and agroclimate variation. We show that changes in the UK agroclimate present both risks, and opportunities for wheat growers, depending on location. From 1981–2020, in Wales, the West Midlands, large parts of the North West, and Northern Ireland, there was an overall increase in frost risk in early spring of 0.15 additional frost days per year, whilst in the east early frost risk decreased by up to 0.29 d per year. Meanwhile, over the period 1987–2020, surface incoming shortwave radiation during grainfill increased in the east by up to 13% but decreased in Western areas by up to 15%. We show significant inter-varietal differences in yield responses to growing degree days, heavy rainfall, and the occurrence of late frost. This highlights the importance of evaluating variety-climate interactions in variety trial analyses, and in climate-optimised selection of crops and varieties by growers. This work provides guidance for future research on how climate change is affecting the UK agroclimate and resulting impacts on winter cereal production. more
Application Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Terrestrial

CLARA-A3: The third edition of the AVHRR-based CM SAF climate data record on clouds, radiation and surface albedo covering the period 1979 to 2023

Author(s):
Karlsson, Karl-Göran; Stengel, Martin; Meirink, Jan Fokke; Riihelä, Aku; Trentmann, Jörg; Akkermans, Tom; Stein, Diana; Devasthale, Abhay; Eliasson, Salomon; Johansson, Erik; Håkansson, Nina; Solodovnik, Irina; Benas, Nikos; Clerbaux, Nicolas; Selbach, Nathalie; Schröder, Marc; Hollmann, Rainer
Publication title: Earth System Science Data
2023
 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 11
2023
DOI: 10.5194/essd-15-4901-2023
Abstract:
This paper presents the third edition of The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring's (CM SAF) cloud, albedo, and surface radiation data… This paper presents the third edition of The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring's (CM SAF) cloud, albedo, and surface radiation dataset from advanced very-high-resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data, CLARA-A3. The content of earlier CLARA editions, namely cloud, surface albedo, and surface radiation products, has been extended with two additional surface albedo products (blue- and white-sky albedo), three additional surface radiation products (net shortwave and longwave radiation, and surface radiation budget), and two top of atmosphere radiation budget products (reflected solar flux and outgoing longwave radiation). The record length is extended to 42 years (1979–2020) by also incorporating results from the first version of the advanced very high resolution radiometer imager (AVHRR/1). A continuous extension of the climate data record (CDR) has also been implemented by processing an interim climate data record (ICDR) based on the same set of algorithms but with slightly changed ancillary input data. All products are briefly described together with validation results and intercomparisons with currently existing similar CDRs. The extension of the product portfolio and the temporal coverage of the data record, together with product improvements, is expected to enlarge the potential of using CLARA-A3 for climate change studies and, in particular, studies of potential feedback effects between clouds, surface albedo, and radiation. The CLARA-A3 data record is hosted by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) CM SAF and is freely available at https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V003 (Karlsson et al., 2023b). more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records EUM-Secr Land Method OSI-SAF Validation

Climate Data Records from Meteosat First Generation Part I: Simulation of Accurate Top-of-Atmosphere Spectral Radiance over Pseudo-Invariant Calibration Sites for the Retrieval of the In-Flight Visible Spectral Response

Author(s):
Govaerts, Yves; Rüthrich, Frank; John, Viju; Quast, Ralf
Publication title: Remote Sensing
2018
 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 12
2018
DOI: 10.3390/rs10121959
Abstract:
Meteosat First-Generation satellites have acquired more than 30 years of observations that could potentially be used for the generation of a Climate D… Meteosat First-Generation satellites have acquired more than 30 years of observations that could potentially be used for the generation of a Climate Data Record. The availability of harmonized and accurate a Fundamental Climate Data Record is a prerequisite to such generation. Meteosat Visible and Infrared Imager radiometers suffer from inaccurate pre-launch spectral function characterization and spectral ageing constitutes a serious limitation to achieve such prerequisite. A new method was developed for the retrieval of the pre-launch instrument spectral function and its ageing. This recovery method relies on accurately simulated top-of-atmosphere spectral radiances matching observed digital count values. This paper describes how these spectral radiances are simulated over pseudo-invariant targets such as open ocean, deep convective clouds and bright desert surface. The radiative properties of these targets are described with a limited number of parameters of known uncertainty. Typically, a single top-of-atmosphere radiance spectrum can be simulated with an estimated uncertainty of about 5%. The independent evaluation of the simulated radiance accuracy is also addressed in this paper. It includes two aspects: the comparison with narrow-band well-calibrated radiometers and a spectral consistency analysis using SEVIRI/HRVIS band on board Meteosat Second Generation which was accurately characterized pre-launch. On average, the accuracy of these simulated spectral radiances is estimated to be about ±2%. more
Application Climate Data Records EUM-Secr Method

Climate of Syria Based on Cordex Simulations: Present and Future

Author(s):
Naaouf, N.; Torma, C.Z.
Publication title: Earth Systems and Environment
2023
 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3
2023
DOI: 10.1007/s41748-023-00351-3
Abstract:
Regional climate models are widely used to assess current and future impacts of climate change. In this study, we evaluate the performance of regional… Regional climate models are widely used to assess current and future impacts of climate change. In this study, we evaluate the performance of regional climate models from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment programme integrated over the following three CORDEX domains: AFR, MNA and WAS. Four meteorological variables (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation and cloud cover) were evaluated over Syria at a grid spacing of 0.44°. The performance of five models in simulating the present climate characteristics (1989–2008) is evaluated with respect to the observations: CRU, ERA5 reanalysis and SARA and CLARA satellite data. We find that the mini-ensemble captures well the general spatial patterns and annual cycles of the selected variables. Anotheraim of this study was to assess the expected change of the mentioned four climate variables over Syria under the moderate emission scenario (RCP4.5) and the high emission scenario (RCP8.5) in the near future (2031–2050) and in the far future (2080–2099) with respect to the present climate (1989–2008). The simulations show a decreasing trend in cloud cover (between 6% and 10%) and precipitation (up to 9%) by mid and late century, regardless of the forcing scenarios. The simulations show a pronounced warming over Syria, which is expected to reach 6 °C by the end of the twenty-first century following the high greenhouse gas concentration scenario (RCP8.5). Furthermore, such an increase, combined with a decrease in precipitation, will shift Syria’s climate towards a more arid one. © 2023, The Author(s). more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Climate Data Records from Meteosat First Generation Part II: Retrieval of the In-Flight Visible Spectral Response

Author(s):
Quast, Ralf; Giering, Ralf; Govaerts, Yves; Rüthrich, Frank; Roebeling, Rob
Publication title: Remote Sensing
2019
 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 5
2019
DOI: 10.3390/rs11050480
Abstract:
How can the in-flight spectral response functions of a series of decades-old broad band radiometers in Space be retrieved post-flight? This question i… How can the in-flight spectral response functions of a series of decades-old broad band radiometers in Space be retrieved post-flight? This question is the key to developing Climate Data Records from the Meteosat Visible and Infrared Imager on board the Meteosat First Generation (MFG) of geostationary satellites, which acquired Earth radiance images in the Visible (VIS) broad band from 1977 to 2017. This article presents a new metrologically sound method for retrieving the VIS spectral response from matchups of pseudo-invariant calibration site (PICS) pixels with datasets of simulated top-of-atmosphere spectral radiance used as reference. Calibration sites include bright desert, open ocean and deep convective cloud targets. The absolute instrument spectral response function is decomposed into generalised Bernstein basis polynomials and a degradation function that is based on plain physical considerations and able to represent typical chromatic ageing characteristics. Retrieval uncertainties are specified in terms of an error covariance matrix, which is projected from model parameter space into the spectral response function domain and range. The retrieval method considers target type-specific biases due to errors in, e.g., the selection of PICS target pixels and the spectral radiance simulation explicitly. It has been tested with artificial and well-comprehended observational data from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager on-board Meteosat Second Generation and has retrieved meaningful results for all MFG satellites apart from Meteosat-1, which was not available for analysis. more
Application Climate Data Records EUM-Secr Method

Climate Data Records from Meteosat First Generation Part III: Recalibration and Uncertainty Tracing of the Visible Channel on Meteosat-2–7 Using Reconstructed, Spectrally Changing Response Functions

Author(s):
Rüthrich, Frank; John, Viju O.; Roebeling, Rob A.; Quast, Ralf; Govaerts, Yves; Woolliams, Emma R.; Schulz, Jörg
Publication title: Remote Sensing
2019
 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 10
2019
DOI: 10.3390/rs11101165
Abstract:
This paper presents a new Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) for the visible (VIS) channel of the Meteosat Visible and Infrared Imager (MVIRI), wi… This paper presents a new Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) for the visible (VIS) channel of the Meteosat Visible and Infrared Imager (MVIRI), with pixel-level metrologically traceable uncertainties and error covariance estimates. MVIRI has flown onboard Meteosat First Generation (MFG) satellites between 1982 and 2017. It has served the weather forecasting community with measurements of “visible”, “infra-red” and “water vapour” radiance in near real-time. The precision of the pre-launch sensor spectral response function (SRF) characterisation, particularly of the visible band of this sensor type, improved considerably with time, resulting in higher quality radiances towards the end of the MFG program. Despite these improvements, the correction of the degradation of this sensor has remained a challenging task and previous studies have found the SRF degradation to be faster in the blue than in the near-infrared part of the spectrum. With these limitations, the dataset cannot be immediately applied in climate science. In order to provide a data record that is suited for climate studies, the Horizon 2020 project “FIDelity and Uncertainty in Climate-data records from Earth Observation” (FIDUCEO) conducted (1) a thorough metrological uncertainty analysis for each instrument, and (2) a recalibration using enhanced input data such as reconstructed SRFs. In this paper, we present the metrological analysis, the recalibration results and the resulting consolidated FCDR. In the course of this study we were able to trace-back the remaining uncertainties in the calibrated MVIRI reflectances to underlying effects that have distinct physical root-causes and spatial/temporal correlation patterns. SEVIRI and SCIAMACHY reflectances have been used for a validation of the harmonised dataset. The resulting new FCDR is publicly available for climate studies and for the production of climate data records (CDRs) spanning about 35 years. more
Application Climate Data Records EUM-Secr Validation

Climate Data Records of Vegetation Variables from Geostationary SEVIRI/MSG Data: Products, Algorithms and Applications

Author(s):
García-Haro, Francisco Javier; Camacho, Fernando; Martínez, Beatriz; Campos-Taberner, Manuel; Fuster, Beatriz; Sánchez-Zapero, Jorge; Gilabert, María Amparo
Publication title: Remote Sensing
2019
 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 18
2019
DOI: 10.3390/rs11182103
Abstract:
The scientific community requires long-term data records with well-characterized uncertainty and suitable for modeling terrestrial ecosystems and ener… The scientific community requires long-term data records with well-characterized uncertainty and suitable for modeling terrestrial ecosystems and energy cycles at regional and global scales. This paper presents the methodology currently developed in EUMETSAT within its Satellite Application Facility for Land Surface Analysis (LSA SAF) to generate biophysical variables from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) on board MSG 1-4 (Meteosat 8-11) geostationary satellites. Using this methodology, the LSA SAF generates and disseminates at a time a suite of vegetation products, such as the leaf area index (LAI), the fraction of the photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by vegetation (FAPAR) and the fractional vegetation cover (FVC), for the whole Meteosat disk at two temporal frequencies, daily and 10-days. The FVC algorithm relies on a novel stochastic spectral mixture model which addresses the variability of soils and vegetation types using statistical distributions whereas the LAI and FAPAR algorithms use statistical relationships general enough for global applications. An overview of the LSA SAF SEVIRI/MSG vegetation products, including expert knowledge and quality assessment of its internal consistency is provided. The climate data record (CDR) is freely available in the LSA SAF, offering more than fifteen years (2004-present) of homogeneous time series required for climate and environmental applications. The high frequency and good temporal continuity of SEVIRI products addresses the needs of near-real-time users and are also suitable for long-term monitoring of land surface variables. The study also evaluates the potential of the SEVIRI/MSG vegetation products for environmental applications, spanning from accurate monitoring of vegetation cycles to resolving long-term changes of vegetation. more
Application Climate Data Records LSA-SAF Land Validation

Climate services in support of climate change impact analyses for the German inland transportation system

Author(s):
Haensel, Stephanie; Brendel, Christoph; Haller, Michael; Kraehenmann, Stefan; Razafimaharo, Christene S.; Stanley, Kelly; Brienen, Susanne; Deutschlaender, Thomas; Rauthe, Monika; Walter, Andreas
Publication title: METEOROLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT
2022
 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 3
2022
DOI: 10.1127/metz/2022/1117
Abstract:
Climate change and extreme weather events are an increasing challenge for society and the economy, including the transport sector. A sustainable and r… Climate change and extreme weather events are an increasing challenge for society and the economy, including the transport sector. A sustainable and resilient transportation system therefore requires information on the temporal and spatial pattern of risks induced by climate change and the assessment of resulting vulnerabilities. Such analyses in the past were usually made separately for each mode of transport based on different observational and climate model datasets and using different methodological approaches to analyse climatic changes and their impacts on the transport infrastructure. Within the research network “BMDV Network of Experts” an intermodal perspective is taken on transportation. Common observational and climate model datasets as well as a standardized analysis framework were coordinated and agreed upon to form the basis for comparable climate impact assessments for roads, railways and inland waterways. This manuscript introduces the climatological datasets and methodological approaches for the climate change and climate impact analysis used for the transportation sector and beyond. Selected results on the projected increases of extreme temperature and heavy precipitation are exemplarily presented in order to illustrate the need for developing climate change adaptation measures for the German inland transport system. more
Application Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records

Climate-induced decline in the quality and quantity of European hops calls for immediate adaptation measures

Author(s):
Mozny, M.; Trnka, M.; Vlach, V.; Zalud, Z.; Cejka, T.; Hajkova, L.; Potopova, V.; Semenov, M.A.; Semeradova, D.; Büntgen, U.
Publication title: Nature Communications
2023
 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 1
2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41474-5
Abstract:
A recent rise in the global brewery sector has increased the demand for high-quality, late summer hops. The effects of ongoing and predicted climate c… A recent rise in the global brewery sector has increased the demand for high-quality, late summer hops. The effects of ongoing and predicted climate change on the yield and aroma of hops, however, remain largely unknown. Here, we combine meteorological measurements and model projections to assess the climate sensitivity of the yield, alpha content and cone development of European hops between 1970 and 2050 CE, when temperature increases by 1.4 °C and precipitation decreases by 24 mm. Accounting for almost 90% of all hop-growing regions, our results from Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovenia show that hop ripening started approximately 20 days earlier, production declined by almost 0.2 t/ha/year, and the alpha content decreased by circa 0.6% when comparing data before and after 1994 CE. A predicted decline in hop yield and alpha content of 4–18% and 20–31% by 2050 CE, respectively, calls for immediate adaptation measures to stabilize an ever-growing global sector. © 2023, Springer Nature Limited. more
Application Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records
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