Version 4 of the Cloud, Aerosol and Trace gas detection software (CATDS) has been released by the NWP-SAF. This package is used to identify channels in hyperspectral infrared spectra which are affected by atmospheric features that cannot be simulated accurately in a clear-sky assimilation framework for numerical weather prediction (NWP).

This latest version includes a new neural-network emulator of the cloud and aerosol capability for IASI, which requires only observations as input (i.e. no model information). Also, cloud detection for CrIS is possibly in the absence of a long-wave infrared band (such as for S-NPP). Finally, the numerical precision of the variables can now easily be set by users, which can help with computational savings.

For further information, please see: https://nwp-saf.eumetsat.int/site/software/cloud-and-aerosol-detection/

A new package AAPP-SG has been released. It processes level 1 data from the MWS and IASI-NG instruments on the Metop-SG-A satellite series. Its functions include netCDF ingest, BUFR ingest, spatial filtering, spectral manipulations and BUFR output. It can be used with direct broadcast data or global/regional data. For more information, see the AAPP-SG web page.

The NRT coverage and timeliness monitoring has been extended to now also include data from the MWR instrument on the Arctic Weather Satellite AWS and the lightning imager LI on MTG, based on the data reception monitoring at DWD. The new data have been included in the data status overviews: NRT availability status. Plots of data coverage as well as data delay information in the form of time series, PDF’s of data timeliness and geographical plots of data timeliness are accessible via the following link: NRT availability.

The NWP SAF has released the direct broadcast (DB) software packages for Metop-SG-A1 MWS and METimage. This allows users with a compatible DB reception system to process the raw data up to level 1B. The software packages have been procured from Industry by EUMETSAT, with the NWP SAF responsible for testing, release and user support. For details, please see the Metop-SG direct broadcast web page.

NWP SAF has released a new technical report assessing the radiance data quality from the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) microwave radiometer. The study evaluates AWS observations from an NWP perspective, using independent monitoring at the Met Office and DWD with RTTOV-simulated equivalents. Results show stable radiance behaviour, well-characterised scan-angle biases, and instrument noise levels suitable for operational data assimilation. The new 325 GHz sub-millimetre channels demonstrate strong sensitivity to ice cloud scattering, offering promising capabilities for all-sky assimilation. Data availability and timeliness via EUMETCast are shown to be excellent, meeting global NWP requirements. An initial assimilation trial at the Met Office indicates a statistically significant positive forecast impact. Overall, the results confirm AWS radiances as high-quality, operationally valuable observations and a strong precursor to future EPS‑Sterna missions.
The full report is available from the Publications page: https://nwp-saf.eumetsat.int/site/cdop4-reports-publications/#Technical_Reports