09 May 2022
16 June 2020
SAF on Land Surface Analysis website

SAF objectives
A strong emphasis is put on developing and implementing algorithms that will allow an operational use of data from EUMETSAT satellites. The LSA SAF system, mainly centralised at Instituto Português do Mar e Atmosfera (IPMA), Portugal, generates, archives and disseminates, on an operational basis, a set of parameters related to the surface radiation budget, vegetation (including vegetation state, stress and wild-fires) and surface-atmosphere exchanges of energy, water and carbon.
The LSA SAF addresses a wide user community, ranging from surface processes modelling (e.g. Numerical Weather Prediction, NWP), seasonal forecasting and climate models to agriculture and forestry applications (e.g. fire hazards, food production and hydrology). Users benefit from products generated from a reliable observing system, designed to ensure long-term operations.
The life cycle of EUMETSAT satellites, and the participation of LSA SAF consortium members in Copernicus Services (Global Land and CAMS), put the LSA SAF in a privileged position as a product/service provider for international programmes.