Analysis of overshooting top detections by Meteosat Second Generation: a 5‐year dataset

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Abstract
Overshooting Tops (OTs) are associated with deep convective events and can be an indicator of severe weather conditions. In particular they are linked to strong updraughts, heavy rain, and have the potential to form dense ice clouds which pose a hazard to aviation. In this article, the Infrared Window Texture (IWT) method is used to detect OTs in a 5‐year series of observations from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager aboard the Meteosat Second Generation series of geostationary satellites. This dataset shows that substantial differences in time‐of‐formation and cloud temperature exist between OTs formed in different locations. In particular, it is notable that OTs formed over land tend to be more frequent and form later in the day than those over the ocean. Oceanic OTs, meanwhile, are shown often to be colder than land‐based OTs. The conclusions drawn from this dataset match well with data from other sources, such as the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission. A severe storm over South Africa is examined both to demonstrate the workings of the method and to highlight both strengths and weaknesses of the IWT method.
Funding Information
  • Danish Council for Independent Research (12-131826)

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