Frequently Asked Questions
  • What does SatRep mean?
    The word SATREP is a link-up of the two words: Satellite and Report. Originally the SatRep is a written report containing information of the Infra Red Meteosat image in combination with NWP output and observations in terms of Conceptual Models. The method was first employed in the 1980s at the Austrian Meteorological Institute (ZAMG). Further development took place with the co-operation of the European Meteorological Satellite Organisation EUMETSAT, the Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).
  • In todays images the satrep and weatheroverlay appear white?
    We have found that some users have problems viewing the satrep and weather overlays in today images. They see a white screen and can not see the underlaying satellite images. The cause of this is that both the satrep and weather overlays are transparant PNGs which are not supported by Internet Explorer 6 or older. This lack of support from IE has been frustrating webdevelopers ever since and fortunately there are some solutions for it. These solutions however do include a lot of extra coding from our side and make it difficult for us in future to add new products (e.g. satellite images, NWP).
    When in October 2006 Internet Explorer 7 was launched the problem of transparant PNG was solved from Microsofts side. Since we are not going to provide any server side solution to this problem we can give you one good tip for solving this problem, which is to update to the most recent version of Internet Explorer or to start using a third party browser like for example Mozilla Firefox.
  • What is VisitView?
    VisitView is neat piece of software developed by the University of Wisconsin. Over the years it has proven to be one of the best softwares to do online training with. It is freeware and is easy to use. You can think of VisitView as a powerpoint presentation except that there are extra options such as zooming, overlaying and looping of satellite images. You can find out more about VisitView 'here'
  • When will there be a VisitView of a Satrep?
    On a monthly basis there will a VisitView of an actual Satrep with a Satrep producer. The events are anounced under "latest news" on the main page of this website.
  • How can I join a Satrep VisitView?
    You can use either the "Contact us" form to show us your interest in joining a satrep discussion over VisitView or you can sign up for the Satrep online newsletter. You will be informed by new trainingactivities and a simple "reply" will do to particpate in the lecture.
  • How will the audio work with these live sessions?
    The audio during the VisitView functions with a program called SKYPE. When joining a session you are asked for your username. As soon as the session start you will be called. Normal telephone may also work but is only used as a backup as there are restrictions to the number of people attending the conference.
  • I experience problems joining the session!
    If for some reason you can not connect to the sessions offered by us it is most likely caused by your firewall. The several session offered by the online Satrep make use of port 1631 to communicate with your computer. Contact your system administrator if you experience such problems.
  • Which numerical models / satellite images are used?
    When making the SatRep the ECMWF-modelfields are used. The underlaying Satellite images are IR10.8 and WV6.2 from Meteosat 8.
  • At what time are the NWP and images updated?
    The online Satrep offers the satellite images in combination with the NWP four times a day at 00, 06, 12 and 18UTC. The newest products are found every day at this website around 1 hour after nominal time.
  • Why should I sign up for the newsletter?
    Your e-mail will not be used for commercial use. Your e-mail address will only be used to inform you on new products, courses and training session done within EUMeTrain and its online Satrep. You can unsubscribe at any time. When receiving the newsletter you can easily pass your thoughts and also wishes to the producers of trainingmaterial within EUMeTrain.
  • Who or what is EUMeTrain?
    EUMeTrain is an international trainingproject that started in 2004. The project is sponsored by EUMETSAT and has goal to provide the users of meteosat data with trainingmaterial to increase their knowledge and will benefit the use of the data. The online Satrep is one of the product developed by EUMeTrain to reach this goal. More on EUMeTrain and the other products it has produced is found 'here'.
  • What is a Conceptual Model(CM)?
    The recommended way of synthesizing knowledge is by reference to the so-called conceptual model. Based on existing literature the following definition has been derived:

    A conceptual model describes essential features of a meteorological phenomenon and
    identifies the principal processes taking place.

    A complete conceptual model provides a:

    • Definition of the phenomenon in terms of features recognizable by observations, analysis or validated simulations;
    • Description of its life cycle in terms of appearance, size, intensity and accompanying weather;
    • Statement of the controlling physical processes which enables the understanding of the factors that determine the mode and rate of evolution of the phenomenon;
    • Specification of the key meteorological fields demonstrating the main processes;
    • Guidance for predicted meteorological conditions or situations using the diagnostic and prognostic fields that best discriminate between development or non-development; guidance for predicting displacement and evolution.
  • Can U think of more questions?
    These were the questions that popped into my mind. Maybe you have more!
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