Performance of the 1976 University of Wisconsin Model for United States Long-Range Forecasts Made for 1976–80
The 1976 version of the University of Wisconsin model's ultra long-range forecasts of monthly mean temperature and precipitation were verified for selected United States stations over the period 1976–80. In an overall sense, neither the pentad category forecasts for four months, nor the individual year forecasts for two months, showed significant skill relative to random chance expectation. Slight positive skill was found for the July precipitation forecasts. Considerable variability of skill scores were seen from one month type to another, and from year to year. The lack of demonstrated significant skill overall for the 1976–80 period contrasts with the positive results reported by the modelers for independent sample forecasts made for the period 1961–75.