Why do we need a weather radar network ?
Weather radar networks are essential for comprehensive monitoring of atmospheric conditions, providing crucial data for accurate weather forecasting and early warning systems across large geographical areas. In this context, OPERA (Operational Programme for the Exchange of Weather Radar Information) serves as the Weather Radar Programme of EUMETNET. OPERA’s main objectives are twofold: to provide a European platform for exchanging expertise on operationally oriented weather radar issues, and to develop, generate, and distribute high- quality pan-European weather radar composite products and data on an operational basis. One of OPERA’s most notable achievements is the Pan-European radar composite. This composite integrates data from approximately 160 individual radars belonging to OPERA members, updating every 15 minutes with a spatial resolution of 12 km. The near real-time animation of this composite is available on the EUMETNET website, offering a comprehensive view of weather patterns across Europe. By facilitating collaboration and data sharing among European meteorological services, OPERA plays a crucial role in enhancing weather forecasting capabilities, improving severe weather detection, and supporting various sectors that rely on accurate weather information. The programme’s work encompasses data production, international data exchange, and data archiving and management, contributing significantly to the advancement of meteorological science and operational forecasting in Europe
How does it work ?
data to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) modellers and other radar data users, and produces quality-controlled radar products. Additionally, OPERA is responsible for developing the OPERA Data Information Model (ODIM), enhancing expertise, and providing support to its members in the field of weather radar within EUMETNET. OPERA also collaborates on the global exchange of radar knowledge with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the broader weather radar community. By facilitating the exchange of expertise and data, OPERA plays a crucial role in advancing weather radar technology and improving weather forecasting across Europe.
Who’s in charge ?
The OPERA Programme is Dr. Annakaisa von Lerber.
The Coordinating Member is the National Meteorological Service of Finland (FMI)
Our work in pictures
Title TBD
OPERA Data production
OPERA Data
Information Model
(ODIM)
OPERA Data production
During the previous OPERA phase (2019-2023), the data centre (ODYSSEY) was gradually replaced with three new production lines (CUMULUS/STRATUS CIRRUS, and NIMBUS).
New production lines
• CUMULUS/STRATUS, a real-time data hub providing the incoming data back to members in approximately real-time for their own processing (e.g. regional composites or NWP assimilation) and to the other two production lines (CIRRUS and NIMBUS). The production line has been operational since Q2/2021.
• CIRRUS producing 5-minute instantaneous maximum reflectivity composite (dBZ) for current weather, severe weather alerts and aviation needs. It is replacing the ODYSSEY maximum reflectivity composite with improved spatial (now with 1 km gridding) and temporal resolution (from 15 – minutes to 5- minutes). The production has been operational since Q1/2024. Documentation regarding the CIRRUS maximum reflectivity product and its differences compared to the ODYSSEY maximum reflectivity product can be found here.
OPERA_Max Reflectivity_Product Sheet_Ed-2.0.pdf
OPERA5_Report_Cirrus-vs-Odyssey_Ed-2.0.pdf
• NIMBUS produces centrally the quality-controlled products; instantaneous rain rate (mm/h) and 1 – hour accumulation (mm) composites, and wind profiles (TBD Q4/2024), and additionally the quality-controlled volume data for NWP assimilation. It replaces the ODYSSEY production for the above-mentioned products. The NIMBUS production has been operational since Q2/2024. Documentation regarding the NIMBUS composites and their differences compared to the corresponding ODYSSEY can be found here:
NIMBUS_datasheet_composites_1.0_13062024.pdf
NIMBUS_composite_vs_ODYSSEY_1.0_19062024.pdf
OPERA support can be reached through email to support.opera[at]eumetnet.eu. Responses from the service desk are provided on a best-effort basis.
Access to data
The members of OPERA and EUMETNET may use the composites for their official duties without a separate license. The Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) modelers obtain the quality-controlled volume data directly from the NIMBUS production line.
The OPERA products are also available under license to 3rd parties:
For national weather services not participating in OPERA which want to use the products to support their public weather service, contact info[at]eumetnet.eu
For a research and education licence, contact info[at]eumetnet.eu.
For a license to exploit the products commercially, contact one of the EUMETNET members contact points (https://www.ecomet.eu/contact/members) or send an email to eumetdaps_secretariat[at]eumetnet.eu.
EUMETNET AMDAR coverage
The coverage for the EUMETNET AMDAR network for a typical day is shown on the map below. Yellow plots indicate observations taken enroute with red and green plots representing aircraft ascent and descent profiles.
During the previous OPERA phase (2019-2023), the data centre (ODYSSEY) was gradually replaced with three new production lines (CUMULUS/STRATUS CIRRUS, and NIMBUS).
Figure: The schematic structure of the new OPERA data production.
The three new production lines are:
• CUMULUS/STRATUS, a real-time data hub providing the incoming data back to members in approximately real-time for their own processing (e.g. regional composites or NWP assimilation) and to the other two production lines (CIRRUS and NIMBUS). The production line has been operational since Q2/2021.
• CIRRUS producing 5-minute instantaneous maximum reflectivity composite (dBZ) for current weather, severe weather alerts and aviation needs. It is replacing the ODYSSEY maximum reflectivity composite with improved spatial (now with 1 km gridding) and temporal resolution (from 15 – minutes to 5- minutes). The production has been operational in Q1/2024. Documentation regarding the CIRRUS maximum reflectivity product and its differences compared to the ODYSSEY maximum reflectivity product can be found here.
– OPERA_Max Reflectivity_Product Sheet_Ed-2.0.pdf
– OPERA5_Report_Cirrus-vs-Odyssey_Ed-2.0.pdf
• NIMBUS producing centrally the quality-controlled products; instantaneous rain rate (mm/h) and 1 – hour accumulation (mm) composites, and wind profiles (TBD Q4/2024), and additionally the quality-controlled volume data for NWP assimilation. It is replacing the ODYSSEY production for the above-mentioned products. The NIMBUS production has been operational in Q2/2024. Documentation regarding the NIMBUS composites and their differences compared to the corresponding ODYSSEY can be found here:
– NIMBUS_datasheet_composites_1.0_13062024.pdf
– NIMBUS_composite_vs_ODYSSEY_1.0_19062024.pdf
OPERA support can be reached through email to support.opera@emetnet.com. Responses from the service desk are provided on a best-effort basis.
Access to data
The members of OPERA and EUMETNET may use the composites for their official duties without a separate license. The Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) modelers obtain the quality-controlled volume data directly from NIMBUS production line.
The OPERA products are also available under license to 3rd parties:
· For national weather services not participating in OPERA which want to use the products to support their public weather service, contact info@emetnet.com
· For a research and education licence, contact info@emetnet.com.
· For a license to exploit the products commercially, contact one of the EUMETNET members contact points(https://www.ecomet.eu/contact/members) or send a mail eumetdaps_secretariat@emetnet.com.