Satellite images in 2025
Interview with Dipl.-Met. Bernd Fischer
Quantum leap in flight planning and real-time data through Meteosat Third Generation.
On 1st July of this year, EUMETSAT – the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites – launched MTG‑S1, the second satellite of the third Meteosat generation. The first satellite of this new generation, MTG‑I1, was launched in December 2022 and has been operational since December 2024.
A conversation with meteorologist Bernd Fischer about the benefits of MTG for pilots.
Mirjam Hempel: Hello Bernd, thank you for taking the time for this conversation. Let me start with a practical question: Why are satellite images so important for planning and in‑flight weather assessment?
Bernd Fischer:
For me, satellite imagery has always been the most important source of information. Any weather planning begins with the actual state of the atmosphere. Before looking at forecasts, one must understand the current situation. Satellite data is rich in information – cloud cover and type, frontal zones, their position and movement speed. This gives me something tangible: hard facts, not model‑based or purely numerical assumptions.
Through a simple extrapolation of cloud movement – for example, observing how fast a front advances across the screen – one can already derive short‑term predictions. I also compare forecasts with what I actually see. If forecast and observation align, the prognosis is likely reliable; if not, an error may already be evident at the outset.
MH: The first geostationary MTG satellite MTG‑I1 became fully operational a year ago, followed by the launch of MTG‑S1 on 1 July. TopMeteo integrated the MTG data into its system immediately. What makes the third Meteosat generation so special, and how does it work?
BF: As a geostationary satellite, MTG moves with Earth’s rotation and remains fixed over the zero‑longitude line at the equator, roughly 36,000 km above Earth. From there, it continuously observes the same region – Europe, all of Africa and parts of South America.
MTG‑S1 is also the first operational meteorological sounder satellite equipped with two key instruments: the InfraRed Sounder (IRS) and the UVN spectrometer Sentinel‑4 from the EU Copernicus programme.
MH: EUMETSAT Director‑General Phil Evans calls MTG one of the most innovative and complex meteorological satellite systems ever built. What are the differences compared to MSG, the second Meteosat generation?
BF:
Technically, MTG surpasses MSG on every level. MTG carries 16 spectral channels – MSG had 12. The additional spectral bands in the infrared, near‑infrared and water‑vapour spectrum enable far more accurate cloud classification. We now see aerosols, cirrus and ice clouds separately.
Spatial resolution has also improved dramatically: 0.5 km VIS/NIR and 1 km IR compared to 3 km VIS/IR under MSG (1 km only in HRV). Along with temporal resolution – now a new image every 10 minutes instead of 15 – image sharpness is significantly higher. It’s like switching from SD to HD television: individual 1‑km cumulus clouds can now be almost fully resolved, whereas they previously appeared blurred or streaked.
A groundbreaking addition is the Lightning Imager (LI), which detects lightning optically. And thanks to 14‑bit radiometric resolution (compared to 10‑bit before), MTG delivers a far cleaner signal‑to‑noise ratio.
„We're not quite there yet with 4K and 8K, but we may get there eventually.“
MH: How does TopMeteo process this data and how do pilots benefit?
BF: Let’s start with the simplest product – visible imagery. These images, familiar from everyday weather reports, are now available with higher spatial and temporal detail. This allows us to clearly identify convective clouds and mid‑level shading structures.
Visible imagery only works during daylight. But with multiple spectral channels, we can now analyse low clouds, wave patterns and high cover even at night and during twilight. Valuable for glider pilots planning wave flights shortly after sunrise. We can now observe the nocturnal situation and identify potential wave structures and cloud layers that could interfere.
Thirdly, we merge multispectral satellite data with radar. This allows for far more accurate detection of showers, thunderstorms and frontal dynamics. These combined SAT‑RADAR composites have become my personal favourite product over the past year.
„Thanks to the multispectral images, I can now plan ‘in the dark’ and don't have to simply ‘shoot in the dark’ blindly.“
MH: Why exactly?
BF: Because I can now identify where precipitation is actually falling. In highly convective summer situations with showers and thunderstorms, this is critical. Previously, I had to mentally overlay radar and satellite imagery. Now the information is fused – intuitive and clear. You can see, for example, that not an entire cloud mass is precipitating but only a portion of it.
Surprisingly, clouds that don’t appear threatening on satellite imagery may still produce heavy rainfall. Conversely, a visually dominant cumulonimbus (bright white, sharply structured) may be far less intense than expected.
The high spatial and temporal resolution allows pilots to enhance situational awareness during flight. With SAT‑RADAR imagery, I can extend my “weather horizon”, planning the next 30–60 minutes of route development – well beyond visual range.
"Thanks to MTG, we can now actually track the life cycle of a thunderstorm. From the first cumulus cloud through its entire growth cycle to the CB and its dissipation."
MH: MTG also carries the new Lightning Imager LI. Do you already provide lightning products for pilots?
BF: Yes – and it is extremely valuable, especially for the Africa flying season. In Namibia, for example, there is no radar coverage. But with MTG, TopMeteo can now display real‑time lightning detection every 10 minutes – directly inside cloud structures. No other aviation weather provider currently offers this, and it represents a major safety enhancement. Available immediately.
“A brand new feature of MTG is that it now has a Lightning Imager (LI) that visually displays lightning.“
MH: Where can pilots find VIS, multispectral, SAT‑RADAR and lightning imagery in TopMeteo?
BF: Within the main menu under “Sat & Radar” – and also under “Flight planning”, where we integrate satellite, radar and forecast products with a map including airfields to facilitate route setup.
MH: After the first season with MTG data, what is your personal conclusion?
BF: It’s like switching television from SD to HD. The level of detail is massively higher – which means more precise pre‑flight decisions, better in‑flight tactical routing and ultimately, maximum performance from each flying day.
MH: Thank you for your insights, Bernd – and always happy landings.
The interview was done by Mirjam Hempel (academic sports journalist).
