Validation of the CRR product of the NWCSAF software package version 2010

Abstract

The Convective Rainfall Rate (CRR) algorithm developed within the SAF NWC context estimates rainfall rates from convective systems, using data from IR, WV and VIS MSG SEVIRI channels. As lightning activity is related to convection, this information has been included in the product. In order to test the possible improvements of the product when using lightning information, a validation process that compares the current version and the new one, has been carried out. The calibration of the product has been performed using SEVIRI and Radar data. The Radar data used in the calibration process correspond to summer convective episodes occurred over Spain and over the Baltic Region. In order to test the behaviour of the product out of the summer period, an extended validation over the whole year 2008 has been done. As it is also important to see the results of the product outside the calibration regions, a new validation has been performed over Hungary. In this contribution it is presented a comparison of the numerical results from the different validations as well as some visual examples comparing the CRR product to the Radar images.