A number of changes relating mainly to the use of SATEMs was implemented. Now 7 SATEM layers are used in the vertical instead of 11, i.e. 1000/700 hPa, 700/500 hPa, 500/300 hPa,300/100 hPa, 100/50 hPa, 50/30 hPa, 30/10 hPa.

The modifications allow better use to be made of satellite sounding data in agreement with the vertical resolution given by the satellite instruments.

The satellite observation statistics and quality control were revised.