Next-generation European satellite sends first images: MTG-S paves the way for more precise forecasting over Europe and North Africa
At the 18th European Space Conference in Brussels, held on January 27 and 28, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT presented the initial images from the Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder satellite (MTG-S1) to the public for the first time. This is a mission expected to change the way meteorological services monitor atmospheric development over Europe and parts of North Africa, with an emphasis on faster warnings for dangerous weather phenomena. Unlike classic satellite "cloud images," the new system also delivers layered data on temperature and humidity, which is the foundation for a more precise assessment of when and where a powerful storm might "ignite." The presentation of the first results in Brussels came at a time when European policies are increasingly discussing weather extremes, infrastructure safety, and the need for reliable real-time warnings.
The images that attracted the most attention were created on November 15, 2025, when the Infrared Sounder (IRS) instrument recorded the full disk of the Earth from geostationary orbit, about 36,000 kilometers above the surface. A geostationary satellite sits above the equator and "follows" the planet's rotation, thus maintaining a constant view of the same area. This allows for frequent repetition of measurements, which is crucial for short-term forecasting (nowcasting), where minutes and tens of minutes are often more important than long series of data. In European meteorological services, decisions on warnings for hail, storm wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and flash floods are made precisely within that time frame, and the quality of input observations often determines how early and accurate the warning will be.
What the first images show: land heat and cold cloud tops
In the temperature display, the IRS used a long-wave infrared channel that measures surface temperature, but also the temperature at the top of clouds. In such an image, warmer areas are shown in darker red tones, while colder parts – most often the tops of high clouds – appear in blue shades. On the first global display, the most pronounced thermal "spots" are expectedly seen over the land areas of Africa and South America, while over the oceans and heavier cloud cover, colder tones stand out. In the profession, such displays are used as a quick assessment of where the air is "more stable" with clear skies and heated ground, and where weather energy is transferring into vertical cloud development. At the same time, the map reminds us how often weather systems rely on contrasts: between land and sea, between dry and humid air masses, and between the warm surface and the cold upper layer.
Among the details standing out in the first materials, the clear visibility of the coastal contours of West Africa in warmer colors is mentioned, including the area of the Cap-Vert peninsula where Dakar is located. On the other side of the Atlantic, the northeastern coast of Brazil stands out in dark red. In the southwest of Africa, warmer land surfaces of Namibia and South Africa are noticeable, partially covered by a colder swirl of clouds. Although this is a single "frozen" moment, such displays in a series of measurements allow for tracking changes at relatively short intervals, which is a prerequisite for meteorologists to see how a system develops before it hits land. The promise of the MTG-S system is based precisely on this principle: that dangerous changes in the atmosphere are not detected too late, when storm clouds are already over cities, but in the phase when they are just organizing and strengthening.
Humidity image: where water vapor accumulates and where dry air prevails
The second published image shows atmospheric humidity, obtained from the IRS mid-wave infrared channel. In this display, blue shades indicate parts of the atmosphere with higher moisture, while red colors point to drier air. Unlike the temperature map, land contours are almost invisible here, because the surface is not shown, but rather the distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere. In the first materials, a wide belt of dry air is observed over the Sahara and the Middle East, while at the same time, an area of reduced humidity is seen over part of the southern Atlantic. On the other hand, dark blue "islands" of higher humidity are noticed over East Africa and in zones pointing to the complex dynamics of the tropics and higher latitudes. Such a display is precious to meteorologists because many dangerous phenomena, from heavy downpours to strong thunderstorms, rely on where and how fast moisture arrives in the atmosphere.
For meteorologists, it is crucial not only "how humid it is," but also in which layer the moisture is located and how it mixes with warmer and colder air. If moisture is concentrated in the lower layer, and there is colder air above it, the atmosphere becomes more unstable and ready for strong vertical cloud development. If a moist layer is gradually "replenished" by inflow from the sea or from southern regions, the storm potential can rise sharply in a short period. In practice, such measurements complement radars and ground measurements: radars see precipitation that has already formed best, while satellite profiles help assess whether precipitation is yet to occur. This is precisely where the greatest gain of the MTG-S system is expected in real situations, especially in transitional seasons when fronts and storm systems can organize quickly.
Europe in close-up: front over the Pyrenees, heat over Africa
Along with global views, a regional "zoom" over Europe and North Africa was published, highlighting the contrast between warmer land surfaces on the African continent and colder, high-altitude clouds accompanying weather fronts. In the shown example, a colder system covers the area of Spain and Portugal, while the Italian Peninsula is in the center of the frame. Such images are useful to meteorologists not only for visual clarity but also because the development of cloud tops, the width and dynamics of frontal zones, and the relationship between surface and upper-level processes can be tracked on them. When compared with temperature and humidity profiles, the possibility of a more precise interpretation of why a certain storm develops at a specific location opens up. In other words, the image ceases to be just a "photograph" and becomes part of a three-dimensional diagnostic of the atmosphere.
In an operational sense, the goal is not only to see where the clouds are but to predict what will happen in the next 30 to 180 minutes. Will the system intensify or weaken, will it turn towards the coast or inland, will it organize into a line of storms with strong wind or remain scattered? Within that time frame, classic numerical models sometimes "lag" behind rapid changes, so high-frequency observations become key. Therefore, public explanations of MTG-S1 emphasize the ability to regularly refresh data: so that meteorological assessments are based on fresh measurements, and not on an image that is an hour old. In practice, this can mean the difference between a timely warning and a situation in which a storm surprises an area with high exposure of people and infrastructure.
Example from practice: eruption of Ethiopian volcano and ash tracking
Special attention was drawn to an animation showing the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia on November 23, 2025. In the background, events on the surface are tracked based on temperature changes, while infrared channels highlight the formation and spread of ash clouds. In such situations, timely information on ash movement is not just a scientific curiosity: volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aviation because it can damage engines and instruments, so its spread is routinely monitored and used for safety assessments in air traffic. an additional challenge is that an ash cloud can spread very quickly, and direction and height depend on winds in different layers of the atmosphere, which requires continuous monitoring. That is precisely why examples of MTG-Sounder application emphasize the possibility of observing changes over time, and not just one-time recording.
According to announcements from scientific institutions that followed the event, the eruption of Hayli Gubbi attracted attention also because it is the first recorded explosive event of that volcano in recent history, in the Afar region which is geologically active due to tectonic plate divergence processes. Available reports indicate that satellite observations were key for the early assessment of the height and direction of movement of ash and gas clouds. Such examples explain why MTG-S is often described as a system that is not only important to meteorologists but also to a wider circle of users: from aviation services to environmental protection and crisis management. In the European context, the story of volcanic ash is particularly sensitive because air traffic disruptions can have large economic consequences, and reliable risk assessment depends on data quality. Additionally, such events often happen in remote areas with few measurement stations, so satellite surveillance becomes the main source of information.
Why MTG-S is important: from cloud images to a 3D map of the atmosphere
Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is a joint European program in which ESA develops technology and the system, and EUMETSAT takes over operational management and data distribution. The concept is set as a "pair" of satellites in geostationary orbit: MTG-I (Imager) brings very fast and detailed images of clouds, aerosols, and lightning, while MTG-S (Sounder) introduces systematic sounding of the atmosphere from the same orbit. The Infrared Sounder on MTG-S1 is indeed the first European hyperspectral instrument of that kind in geostationary orbit. Hyperspectral measurement means that a large number of channels in the infrared range are collected simultaneously, and profiles of temperature and water vapor by height are calculated from fine differences in the spectrum. Publicly available technical descriptions highlight that the instrument continuously collects about 1,700 infrared channels, and by combining these channels, it is possible to obtain three-dimensional maps of the atmosphere. Such products are not "instant," but require processing and validation, yet they open a new chapter in European geostationary weather surveillance.
This technological difference translates into a practical advantage in meteorology: instead of just inferring what is happening based on clouds, it is possible to more directly assess in which layer the atmosphere is unstable and where there is enough moisture for the system to strengthen quickly. In combination with data on clouds and lightning, such profiles can help recognize the development of powerful storms and local disasters earlier, including episodes of strong wind, hail, and heavy rain. European explanations of MTG-S1 also emphasize that, along with temperature and humidity, products helping in the assessment of wind and certain trace gases will be developed over time. All this goes into the same goal: to improve forecasting on short time horizons and reduce "blind spots" in moments when systems change rapidly. In practice, this means more opportunities for warnings to be issued earlier, and fewer situations in which a storm system appears "out of the blue."
Reactions from ESA: emphasis on storms and faster warnings
In statements accompanying the presentation of the first images, ESA representatives emphasized that an improvement in forecasting and warnings for storms over Europe is expected. It is highlighted that this is a long development cycle and a system that relies on a wide network of European partners, including EUMETSAT and industry. In a professional sense, the message is that more frequent and layered measurements of temperature and humidity should reduce uncertainty in the initial phase of storm development, when meteorologists often have to choose between several possible scenarios. In the European space, situations where storms organize very quickly are particularly sensitive, for example in the warmer part of the year over the Mediterranean, where a combination of a warm sea and an inflow of colder air can trigger strong development. In such conditions, the difference between a warning issued two hours earlier and a warning issued half an hour earlier can be crucial for the preparation of services and informing the public.
Experts involved in the project also emphasize that the system faces a phase of gradual product introduction, because with such instruments it is necessary to carefully align calibration, data quality, and method of interpretation. In meteorology, even the smallest systematic error can spill over into models and affect the forecast, so operational application is introduced gradually, with verification in different weather situations. This is part of the standard path from "first images" to full operational service: first it is confirmed that the instrument works, then processing is stabilized, and only then are products introduced into routine use. In that process, communication towards users is also important, because a new type of data requires new interpretation rules and adaptation of procedures in meteorological centers. This is precisely why the first public presentation is considered the beginning of a larger, multi-year change in the European meteorological system.
How MTG-S fits into the wider picture: MTG-I already working, and next launches follow
The MTG system is already partially operational thanks to the MTG-I1 satellite, the first third-generation "Imager," launched in December 2022. According to EUMETSAT data, MTG-I1 delivers full disk images of the Earth at intervals of about 10 minutes, and the goal is for such frequency combined with better spatial and spectral resolution to improve tracking of rapid changes in clouds and thunderstorm systems. The idea of the program is that Imager and Sounder data are used together: the Imager quickly shows where the system is developing and how clouds and lightning are changing, and the Sounder adds information on what the "internal structure" of the atmosphere is like and why the system is strengthening or weakening. Such an approach is particularly important in situations where dangerous weather develops locally and quickly, for example in zones of orographic influence or along coastal convergences. Combined, MTG-I and MTG-S should give a "more complete story" about the atmosphere, which is the foundation for more precise forecasting and more reliable warnings.
MTG-S1 was launched on July 1, 2025, and in the industrial division of labor, Thales Alenia Space is cited as the prime contractor of the overall MTG program, while OHB Systems is responsible for the Sounder satellite. Operational management and data distribution are led by EUMETSAT, which is the standard model for European geostationary meteorological missions. In the next steps, the European plan foresees additional launches, including a second Imager satellite whose launch is expected during 2026. This would strengthen data availability and ensure service continuity, which is key for meteorological services relying on a constant stream of satellite products. In practice, such systems must also have redundancy, because forecasting and warnings cannot be "paused" if one satellite has a technical problem. Therefore, MTG is viewed as long-term infrastructure, and not as a single project.
Sentinel-4 on the same satellite: hourly air quality monitoring over Europe
MTG-S1 does not carry only a meteorological Sounder. On the same platform, there is also the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission instrument, an Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-Infrared (UVN) imaging spectrometer solution intended for monitoring atmospheric composition and air pollution over Europe. Sentinel-4 is particularly important because it enables hourly monitoring of specific pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, from geostationary orbit. The first preliminary images from Sentinel-4 were published in October 2025, and institutions emphasized that this is an early data phase showing the direction in which operational services will develop. Hourly refreshing opens the possibility to see how concentrations change during the day, where "hotspots" arise, and how pollution is transported by air currents. In the context of public health and public policies, such insight can help in assessing the effect of measures and in more timely informing of the population during episodes of elevated pollution.
The combination of meteorology and air quality monitoring on the same satellite also has additional practical value: the same air circulation that brings a storm or stable weather often also determines whether pollution will remain near the ground or will be diluted and carried away. In winter episodes, stable atmosphere and temperature inversions can cause accumulation of harmful substances in the surface layer, while in windy situations concentrations can drop sharply. If changes are tracked hour by hour, it is possible to spot critical situations faster, but also better understand the mechanisms behind them. In this sense, MTG-S1 becomes a platform connecting two topics that citizens often perceive separately: the weather and the air they breathe. This explains why "societal challenges" are often mentioned around this system, and not just technological achievements.
What follows after the first images: from demonstration to operational use
The first published images from MTG-Sounder have both symbolic and practical value. Symbolic, because they confirm that the instrument in orbit is working and delivering the expected type of measurements. Practical, because the meteorological community now faces the phase of converting raw observations into stable operational products: vertical profiles, maps by layers, instability indicators, and other parameters that enter into forecasting and warnings. In that process, it is important that products be reliable and consistent, so they can be compared over time and between different weather situations. Only when such stability is achieved do data gain full value in operational centers, where decisions are made under pressure of time and responsibility. That is precisely why "first images" are treated as a beginning, not a goal.
For Europe, this is also important in the context of increasingly frequent weather extremes, from short-lived but powerful storms to episodes of heavy precipitation that can cause flash floods. In such situations, satellite data arriving faster and with more information about the structure of the atmosphere can help warnings be more precise and reaction earlier. At the same time, the fact that MTG-S1 carries Sentinel-4 along with meteorological sounding opens the possibility that weather and environmental risks are observed in a unified time frame. In practice, this means more situational awareness: how the atmosphere behaves, where dangerous systems develop, how particles and gases are transported, and what impact all this can have on transport, the economy, and health. As operational products expand in the coming months and years, it is expected that the MTG-S system will become one of the key European data sources for forecasting, warnings, and monitoring the state of the atmosphere.
Sources:- European Space Agency (ESA) / Phys.org – announcement on first MTG-Sounder images and explanation of temperature and humidity displays (link)
- European Space Agency (ESA) – information on the 18th European Space Conference (Jan 27–28, 2026, Brussels) (link)
- EUMETSAT – overview of MTG-S1 and Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission and EUMETSAT's role in operations and data distribution (link)
- ESA – technical description of the Infrared Sounder instrument (hyperspectral sounding in geostationary orbit) (link)
- EUMETSAT – display of first images from MTG-I1 and data on full disk imaging at intervals of about 10 minutes (link)
- EUMETSAT – announcement on first preliminary Copernicus Sentinel-4 images and possibilities of hourly pollution monitoring (link)
- European Commission (DG DEFIS) – explanation of the first nitrogen dioxide image from Sentinel-4 and measurement context (link)
- NASA Science – overview of Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption on November 23, 2025, and satellite observations (link)
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