RGB and Enhanced Channels

• Introduction
• Basic deas behind enhanced satellite images
• Basic idea behind RGBs
• The Natural Colour RGB
• The High Resolution VIS (HRVis) RGB
• The Airmass RGB
• The Dust RGB
• The Day Microphysics RGB
• The 24-hour Micorphysics RGB
• The Severe Storm RGB

Introduction

Combining satellite images from different channels goes far back in the history of satellite meteorology. The idea behind it can be summarized as follows:

Different channels give different information, and the combinations of channels reveal more information and features of the Earth's surface and atmosphere than single channels alone.

There are two ways of making better use of satellite images:

• Enhanced satellite images
• RGB presentation (Red Green Blue)

Looking back at the history of satellite meteorology, the first enhanced images were generated for severe convection like MCS (Mesoscale Convective Systems) to reveal the coldest cloud tops and the growing rate of these cold tops. The first RGB combinations were developed for the USA's polar orbiting satellites and the first application was discriminating low clouds from middle and high clouds.

As time passed, a large number of different RGB products were developed by various institutes and weather services. The usefulness of some combinations was sometimes questionable and comparison between different RGBs became difficult.

With the creation of the MSG and its 12 channels, each with its own unique qualities, a series of standardized RGBs were developed. These RGBs will be described according to their significance and usefulness.