HeaderNarrow.jpg

Effective use of Himawari-8 data in Dust detection, monitoring and forecasting

General comments

Below are summarised ways in which the increased spatial and temporal resolution and the additional channels of Himawari-8 can assist the Forecaster in detecting, nowcasting and forecasting this meteorological phenomenon. Further information including case study animations etc. can be obtained by clicking on those points highlighted in bold in the below table.

 

Spatial Resolution
  • The higher spatial resolution will assist in identifying the local (point) sources of the dust.
  • The higher spatial resolution will assist in tracking dust that is becoming more tenuous (optically thin)

Temporal Resolution
  • Can monitor the movement and geographical distribution of the dust better as the Forecaster can see the continuity of the dust development better in the 10 minute satellite data.
  • Able to track optically thin dust better as the Forecaster can see the continuity of the dust development better in the 10 minute satellite data.
  • Better able to follow the evolution of the dust cloud when there is meteorological cloud is in the vicinity (continuity of tracking, different BT and albedo properties of the dust cloud in comparison with meteorological cloud).

Additional Channels
Generally dust has a bright pink colour in the Dust RGB product which makes it easy to track the cloud, especially because the dust signal contrasts well with the colours of other clouds and the earth's surface. This will permit:

 

Other supporting references

(to be added soon)