MSG Global Instability Index
Operationally produced by EUMETSAT
Application:
Detection of possible unstable areas through satellite based stability indices in pre-convective environment.
The Global Instability Index (GII) product consists of four indices which describe the stability of the atmosphere (K-Index, KO Index, Lifted Index, Maximum Buoyancy) together with precipitable water content (Layer precipitable water content, Total precipitable water). Regional Instability Index (RII) is the pixel-based version of the GII, which is produced for a subset of the MSG image disc over Europe, available also every 5 minutes.
Limitations:
Not available in cloudy areas, resolution is 3 x 3 SEVIRI pixels.
Pros and Cons:
✓ Good for following the deviation from the NWP model stability indexes
✓ Available over MSG – 0 degree and MSG – Indian Ocean 41.5 degrees
✓ Available also during night-time
X BUFR format
Accessibility and Dissemination:
- 15-minute-data disseminated via EumetCast – in BUFR format (5 minutes for RII over Europe)
- 6-hourly-images on ePort within EUMETSAT/EUMeTrain ePort Viewer
Additional Information:
Case Study
Training Module
Practical info and documentation at EUMETSAT Product Navigator – search for “GII”
Overview prepared by Mateja Iršič Žibert, ARSO, V.2017