A 10 year fog and low stratus climatology for Europe based on Meteosat Second Generation data. (29th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Egli, S.; Thies, B.; Drönner, J.; Cermak, J.; Bendix, J.
• Is Part Of: Quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society. Volume 143:Number 702(2017)
• Page Start: 530
• Page End: 541
• Publication Date: 2016-11-29
• Subjects: fog and low stratus detection -- climatology -- remote sensing -- Meteosat second generation; Meteorology -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.2941
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9009

Abstract

Abstract : Due to the significant impact of fog and low stratus (FLS) on economy, ecology and traffic systems, there is a growing demand for high‐resolution information on FLS occurrence. In this study, a baseline climatology of FLS h day −1 based on data recorded from 2006–2015 by the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager system (SEVIRI) aboard the Meteosat Second Generation satellites is computed for Europe to provide the requested information. It is the first 10 year, spatially explicit climatology for FLS based on data with a temporal resolution of 15 min. The dataset is validated against Meteorological Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METAR) and shows good accordance with an average Heidke Skill Score of 0.45. Temporal and spatial variations in FLS frequency as well as interannual trends are analyzed. Winter shows the highest FLS occurrence, but a general decrease over the investigated period. Spring, summer and autumn show less pronounced trends and lower average FLS frequencies. Possible reasons for these distributions are discussed.