Evaluation of model predicted daytime cylces of precipitation using MSG-SEVIRI and European weather radar network (OPERA) observations

SEVIRI is the first satellite instrument with the potential to provide accurate information on daylight cycles of precipitation. Roebeling and Holleman (2009) presented a method to detect precipitation and retrieve rain rates from SEVIRI observation during daylight hours. They showed that these retrievals agree very well with weather radar observations over the Netherlands. The objectives of this study are twofold. First, we will show the validity of the SEVIRI retrievals of precipitation occurrence and intensity over Europe, through a comparison against corresponding observations from about 100 weather radars of the OPERA network. Second, we will evaluate RACMO predicted daylight cycles of precipitation occurrence and intensity for the ocean, continental and Mediterranean climate regimes of Europe during summer. The daylight cycles of the above mentioned precipitation properties are analysed in their mean values, the time of the daylight maximum, and the daylight normalized amplitude.