Analysis Of Heavy Precipitation In The Region Of Valencia (Spain) By Means Of Ir Images From The Meteosat

The occurrence of convective phenomena is very frequent in wide areas of the Mediterranean at the end of the summer and the beginning of the autumn. These phenomena develop in a very short time and are associated to very severe precipitation. In the case of the Iberian Peninsula these phenomena causes important material damages, and even deaths. The seasonal and sudden occurrence of these phenomena is caused by complex mechanisms, and several multidisciplinary research groups have been organized to compile and analyze all the information available.

Between 1992 and 1998 at least on 30 occasions the precipitation registered was over 100 mm in 24 hours in the region of Valencia, one of most affected areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This article deals with the analysis of the evolution in time of the most important thunderstorms. IR images of the Meteosat were used for this purpose and the meteorological situations were classified according to the synoptic weather maps.