The results of the state-of-the-art weather satellite MTG-I1 were presented today. In addition to providing a better basis for weather reports, meteorologists think it could also save lives by predicting extreme weather.
– We can get much more information with a higher resolution and closer intervals, which means we can provide more reliable forecasts, says Håkan Wirtén, director general SMHI.
According to the European Weather Satellite Organization, the MTG-I1 satellite is revolutionary. On Monday, the first results from the satellite were shown – and in the future, they hope to be able to map extreme weather.
– The satellites have a particular focus on increasing our understanding of severe weather events and calculating which warnings should be issued, says Phil Evans, Director General, EUMETSAT.
– It can save lives, livelihoods and property.
Multifaceted
It has taken 20 years to develop this generation of satellites. And more will also be postponed within the next few years. SMHI hopes that the now available information will also give us a safer society.
– We at SMHI hope that this type of information that can be obtained from the satellites will also be useful outside of our operations; in energy production and for society’s safety, says Håkan Wirén, director general, SMHI.
The postponement for MTG-I1 took place on December 13 last year. The MTG system must now be finely calibrated, both in the air and its components on the ground, and that work is expected to continue throughout the year.
The new system can produce images that were previously impossible to achieve from the 36,000 kilometer high orbit where MTG is located, according to EUMETSAT.