Applications of

Meteorological Satellite
Products in Pakistan

Presented By:
SANAULLAH KHAN
Assistant Meteorologist
Pakistan Meteorological Department
Satellite Meteorology
“Satellite Meteorology refers to the study of the earth's atmosphere and oceans using data obtained
from remote sensing devices flown onboard satellites orbiting the earth.”
• Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES)
• Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)
Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES)

The POES satellite system offers the advantage of daily global coverage,
by making nearly polar orbits 14 times per day approximately 520 miles
above the surface of the Earth. POES are significantly closer to Earth
than GOES, orbiting at an altitude of only 879 kilometers,
(approximately 500 miles) so it only takes one hour and 42 minutes to
complete a full orbit. This proximity results in high resolution images
and atmospheric profiles.
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites
(GOES)

Geostationary satellites orbit the Earth's axis as fast as the Earth spins.
They hover over a single point above the Earth at an altitude of about
36,000 kilometers (22,300 miles). To maintain constant height and
momentum, a geostationary satellite must be located over
the equator. 
Satellite Remote Sensing Instruments

• Imagers
• Sounders
Imagers
• Two main types of imagers are utilized in satellite meteorology. One
measures the amount of visible light from the sun reflected back to
space by the Earth's surface or by clouds. The second measures the
amount of radiation emitted by these entities. Data from these
radiometers are transmitted to earth where visible and infrared (IR)
images are produced by computers.
Infra Red Image
Visible Image
Sounder
• Sounder" is a shorter name for Vertical Atmospheric Sounder (VAS),
these radiometers measure infrared radiation, not sound waves.
Sounders provide vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, water
vapor and critical trace gases in the earth's atmosphere.
FY2-SERIES
• FY2-A June 10, 1997
• FY2-B June 26, 2000
• FY2-C Oct. 19, 2004
• FY2-D Dec. 8, 2006
• FY2-E Dec. 23, 2008
• FY2-F Jan. 13, 2012
• FY2-G Dec. 31, 2014
• Forecasting
• Aviation Meteorology
• Agro Meteorology
• Marine Meteorology
• Flood forecasting
• Seismology
• Health
• Planning & Development
Forecasting
Weather forecasting is predicting what the weather will be like at
a certain time in the near future, in a given location.
• Short Range Forecast: Beyond 12 hours and up to 72 hours
description of weather parameters.
• Long Range Forecast: From 30 days up to two years
Cloud Types
 Cumulus (Heap Clouds)
A cumulus cloud results when air is heated up by the sun
and rises a bit faster than the surrounding air. This process
is called convection. At a certain level in the atmosphere
the air cools and the water vapor condenses out to form a
cloud. Convective cumulus clouds develop puffy cotton
shaped profiles.
Fair Weather Cumulus
• Fair weather cumulus clouds have a height that is similar to its width.
These clouds are common in summer when air rises due to
convection resulting from solar heating of the surface. During autumn
and winter cumulus form over large open lakes. Fair weather cumulus
are not deep enough to cause rain.
To determine the height of the base of any cumulus
cloud that might form due to convection, simply adjust
the surface temperature and dew point sliders. Note
that the cloud will not form below 1,000 feet or above
10,100 feet.
 Stratus (Layer Clouds)
These are wide flat clouds that frequently stretch from
horizon to horizon. Stratus clouds are usually uniform and
featureless, appearing gray or dullish white rather than
blue.
Stratus clouds commonly form when warmer, moist air
is advected (pushed by the winds) into a block of colder
air and is forced up over cooler, dense air until the
moistures condenses out to form a thick blanket of
clouds.
• Aviation meteorology (MET) is an essential element of the complex
system that constitutes Air Traffic Management (ATM) in its broadest
sense. Weather conditions all aspects of ATM operations. 
• Flight Folders
• Weather Warming's
• Sigmet information
• Terminal Area Forecast (TAF)
• Matars
• SPECIES
• Agro meteorology is the study of weather and use of weather and
climate information to enhance or expand agricultural crops and/or
to increase crop production.
• Marine meteorology which deals mainly with the study of oceanic
areas, including island and coastal regions; in particular, it serves the
practical needs of surface and air navigation over the oceans.
• Flood forecasting is the use of forecasted precipitation and
streamflow data in rainfall-runoff and streamflow routing models
to forecast flow rates and water levels for periods ranging from a few
hours to days ahead, depending on the size of the watershed.
Seismology

• Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that move

through and around the earth. 
HEALTH
• Health forecasting is a novel area of forecasting, and a valuable tool
for predicting future health events or situations such as demands for
health services and healthcare needs. It facilitates preventive
medicine and health care intervention strategies, by pre-informing
health service providers to take appropriate mitigating actions to
minimize risks and manage demand. Health forecasting requires
reliable data, information and appropriate analytical tools for the
prediction of specific health conditions or situations
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
• Natural hazards and disaster risk reduction.
• Water resources management
• Agriculture and food security
• Transport
• Energy
• Socio-economic development