Towards a continuous monitoring of evapotranspiration based on MSG data

In the framework of the EUMETSAT’s Land Surface Analysis– Satellite Application Facility (LSA–SAF), a method was developed to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) over Europe. The methodology follows a Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) approach. LSA–SAF provides main forcings deduced from Meteosat Second Generation (MSG): visible and infrared surface radiative fluxes and daily surface albedo. The temporal sampling allowed by MSG is particularly interesting to work out correct ET temporal means taking cloud cover into account. The methodology involves the ECOCLIMAP database, well suited for the tile approach. Successive versions of the model are building with an increasing complexity. Today, halfhourly ET maps over Europe are produced in near-real time by the LSA–SAF Host Institute. Examples are given as illustrations. Comparisons are mainly done with ground flux measurements. Future planned developments are outlined.