The launch of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellite system marks a major step forward in how we observe, forecast, and understand the atmosphere. Developed through a partnership between EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency (ESA), MTG introduces a new generation of geostationary satellites with advanced instruments capable of delivering highly detailed and timely observations of Earth’s weather and climate.
From monitoring fast-moving storms to tracking air quality across continents, MTG represents a powerful upgrade in Europe’s ability to safeguard people and respond to environmental challenges.
A Persistent Watch from Space
What makes MTG special is its position. Orbiting at 36,000 kilometres above Earth, each satellite in the system is geostationary, meaning it rotates in sync with the Earth. This allows it to remain fixed over a specific region, continuously watching weather systems as they evolve.
Previous satellites offered updates every 15 minutes or more. MTG’s imaging satellites can scan the full Earth disk every 10 minutes and zoom in on Europe with updates every 2.5 minutes. This increased frequency is vital for monitoring severe weather events that can develop in minutes.
MTG Instruments
The MTG system is composed of two distinct satellite types, each tailored to a different aspect of atmospheric observation.
MTG-I: The Imager
The MTG-I satellites are equipped with a Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) that captures high-resolution images in 16 spectral bands. These images reveal detailed information about cloud cover, water vapor, surface temperature, vegetation, aerosols, and more.
Also on board is the Lightning Imager (LI), the first of its kind in geostationary orbit, capable of detecting lightning strikes day and night, including over remote ocean areas where ground-based sensors are limited.
MTG-S: The Sounder
While MTG-I observes the atmosphere from above, MTG-S penetrates it. Its Infrared Sounder creates vertical profiles of temperature and humidity, scanning a quarter of Earth every 15 minutes. This helps meteorologists understand how the atmosphere is structured and evolving.
In addition, the Sentinel-4 UVN instrument, part of the EU’s Copernicus programme, measures pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃) over Europe and the North Africa every hour. This data is essential for air quality monitoring and environmental research.
MTG Applications
Improved Short-Term Forecasts
MTG significantly enhances nowcasting, the ability to predict weather in the next few minutes to a few hours. By detecting early signs of storm formation and lightning activity, MTG enables meteorologists to issue faster, more accurate warnings, giving people precious time to seek shelter or adjust plans.
Supporting Numerical Weather Prediction
The satellites also feed crucial data into numerical weather prediction models, helping to improve forecasts over several days. The sounding data provides insight into moisture and temperature layers in the atmosphere, which is a key input for computer simulations of weather systems.
Monitoring and Responding to Fires
Infrared imaging allows MTG to detect wildfire hotspots, track smoke plumes, and monitor fire progression, even though cloud cover. This is especially useful in remote or difficult-to-access areas and supports emergency response teams in managing active fires.
Long-Term Climate Monitoring
MTG is not just about today’s weather. It is designed to operate for decades, building on a record of satellite data that began in the 1970s. This continuity is essential for tracking long-term climate trends such as increasing storm intensity, shifting rainfall patterns, and changes in cloud dynamics. By 2060, the MTG programme will contribute to over 60 years of atmospheric records.
Conclusion
In a world where climate events are becoming more extreme and less predictable, having a tool like MTG is more important than ever. It gives us clearer vision, faster alerts, and deeper insight into our changing planet. Whether it’s helping pilots avoid turbulence, warning farmers about incoming storms, or supporting scientists who study Earth’s climate, MTG is a leap forward in Earth observation.