MSG Cloud Physical Properties

The Cloud Physical Properties (CPP) algorithm is being developed at KNMI to derive cloud, precipitation and radiation products from satellite instruments such as SEVIRI onboard Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) and FCI onboard Meteosat Third Generation (MTG). The CPP algorithm development is largely done inside EUMETSAT's Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF), but also in other research projects.

While CM SAF focuses on the generation of climate data records - such as CLAAS-3 for cloud properties from MSG-SEVIRI - here we offer real-time products using Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) services:

cloud parameters: cloud mask, top-height/-temperature, phase, optical thickness, particle size, liquid/ice water path
surface incoming solar radiation (total and direct/diffuse)
precipitation rate

These products are available for download at the KNMI Data Platform (KDP) for both MSG (since November 2024) and MTG (since August 2026). See also Download and data access)

Dedicated viewers are also available, in which the past week can be visualized:

To MSG viewer To MTG viewer

The MSG-CPP service was started in 2012. A major upgrade from v1 to v2 was implemented in March 2021 (see MSG-CPP product description for details). A smaller update was implemented on 13 November 2025, including the following changes:

Update to NWC SAF GEO v2025 for cloud mask and top height/temperature
Introduction of snow-including climatological surface albedo maps

On 1 August 2026, MTG-CPP products were introduced. These have very similar characteristics as MSG-CPP but a higher spatial (2 km instead of 3 km sub-satellite) and temporal (10 instead of 15 minutes) resolution.

Note that some products are provided only during daytime (sun at least 6 degrees above the horizon), because their retrieval relies on solar backscattered radiation.

More detailed information can be found by following the links below: