NWCSAF: Precipitating Clouds

17 November 2004/00.00 UTC - Precipitating Clouds
     
The objective of the Precipitating Clouds (PC) product is to support a detailed precipitation analysis for nowcasting purposes. The focus is on the delineation of non-precipitating and precipitating clouds for light and heavy precipitation, rather than quantifying the precipitation rate as we say in the CRR or TPW product. Particular attention will be given to the identification of areas of light frontal precipitation.

The product provides probability results, i.e. probabilities of precipitation intensities in pre-defined intensity intervals. From the probabilities a categorical estimate of precipitation intensity may be derived. It is not intended to provide information on the type of precipitation.

In the first few image the former depression "Quimburga" is moveing over the continent. Within this frontal sytsem widespreaded areas are obvious diagnosed with rain, with increasing chance of rain on the northside of the Alps. Then, as time evolves the RaCy enters the FOV. At 19 November around 00UTC the Rapic Cycolgensis is found over Western Europe. The most active parts in relation to precipiattion is found in the Cloudhead where the high clouds are very likely causing rain over the northern part of the Netherlands and Germany. As a result of barrage clouds also on the Alps in France much rain is likely in this area. As the RaCy moves east the most active part as precipitation is concerned is the cloud head with its high clouds.

Return to "Nowcasting"