scholarly journals Reduced non-Gaussianity by 30 s rapid update in convective-scale numerical weather prediction

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-626
Author(s):  
Juan Ruiz ◽  
Guo-Yuan Lien ◽  
Keiichi Kondo ◽  
Shigenori Otsuka ◽  
Takemasa Miyoshi

Abstract. Non-Gaussian forecast error is a challenge for ensemble-based data assimilation (DA), particularly for more nonlinear convective dynamics. In this study, we investigate the degree of the non-Gaussianity of forecast error distributions at 1 km resolution using a 1000-member ensemble Kalman filter, and how it is affected by the DA update frequency and observation number. Regional numerical weather prediction experiments are performed with the SCALE (Scalable Computing for Advanced Library and Environment) model and the LETKF (local ensemble transform Kalman filter) assimilating phased array radar observations every 30 s. The results show that non-Gaussianity develops rapidly within convective clouds and is sensitive to the DA frequency and the number of assimilated observations. The non-Gaussianity is reduced by up to 40 % when the assimilation window is shortened from 5 min to 30 s, particularly for vertical velocity and radar reflectivity.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Ruiz ◽  
Guo-Yuan Lien ◽  
Keiichi Kondo ◽  
Shigenori Otsuka ◽  
Takemasa Miyoshi

Abstract. Non-Gaussian forecast error is a challenge for ensemble-based data assimilation (DA), particularly for more nonlinear convective dynamics. In this study, we investigate the degree of non-Gaussianity of forecast error distributions at 1-km resolution using a 1000-member ensemble Kalman filter, and how it is affected by the DA update frequency and observation number. Regional numerical weather prediction experiments are performed with the SCALE (Scalable Computing for Advanced Library and Environment) model and the LETKF (Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter) assimilating every-30-second phased array radar observations. The results show that non-Gaussianity develops rapidly within convective clouds and is sensitive to the DA frequency and the number of assimilated observations. The non-Gaussianity is reduced by up to 40 % when the assimilation window is shortened from 5 minutes to 30 seconds, particularly for vertical velocity and radar reflectivity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo-Jong Song

Abstract Numerical weather prediction provides essential information of societal influence. Advances in the initial condition estimation have led to the improvement of the prediction skill. The process to produce the better initial condition (analysis) with the combination of short-range forecast and observation over the globe requires information about uncertainty of the forecast results to decide how much observation is reflected to the analysis and how far the observation information should be propagated. Forecast ensemble represents the error of the short-range forecast at the instance. The influence of observation propagating along with forecast ensemble correlation needs to be restricted by localized correlation function because of less reliability of sample correlation. So far, solitary radius of influence is usually used since there has not been an understanding about the realism of multiple scales in the forecast uncertainty. In this study, it is explicitly shown that multiple scales exist in short-range forecast error and any single-scale localization approach could not resolve this situation. A combination of Gaussian correlation functions of various scales is designed, which more weighs observation itself near the data point and makes ensemble perturbation, far from the observation position, more participate in decision of the analysis. Its outstanding performance supports the existence of multi-scale correlation in forecast uncertainty.


2020 ◽  
Vol 146 (729) ◽  
pp. 1923-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Peter Heng ◽  
Robert Tubbs ◽  
Xiang‐Yu Huang ◽  
Bruce Macpherson ◽  
Dale M. Barker ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 1897-1918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Poterjoy ◽  
Ryan A. Sobash ◽  
Jeffrey L. Anderson

Abstract Particle filters (PFs) are Monte Carlo data assimilation techniques that operate with no parametric assumptions for prior and posterior errors. A data assimilation method introduced recently, called the local PF, approximates the PF solution within neighborhoods of observations, thus allowing for its use in high-dimensional systems. The current study explores the potential of the local PF for atmospheric data assimilation through cloud-permitting numerical experiments performed for an idealized squall line. Using only 100 ensemble members, experiments using the local PF to assimilate simulated radar measurements demonstrate that the method provides accurate analyses at a cost comparable to ensemble filters currently used in weather models. Comparisons between the local PF and an ensemble Kalman filter demonstrate benefits of the local PF for producing probabilistic analyses of non-Gaussian variables, such as hydrometeor mixing ratios. The local PF also provides more accurate forecasts than the ensemble Kalman filter, despite yielding higher posterior root-mean-square errors. A major advantage of the local PF comes from its ability to produce more physically consistent posterior members than the ensemble Kalman filter, which leads to fewer spurious model adjustments during forecasts. This manuscript presents the first successful application of the local PF in a weather prediction model and discusses implications for real applications where nonlinear measurement operators and nonlinear model processes limit the effectiveness of current Gaussian data assimilation techniques.


Author(s):  
Xiang-Yu Huang ◽  
Dale Barker ◽  
Stuart Webster ◽  
Anurag Dipankar ◽  
Adrian Lock ◽  
...  

Extreme rainfall is one of the primary meteorological hazards in Singapore, as well as elsewhere in the deep tropics, and it can lead to significant local flooding. Since 2013, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) and the United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO) have been collaborating to develop a convective-scale Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) system, called SINGV. Its primary aim is to provide improved weather forecasts for Singapore and the surrounding region, with a focus on improved short-range prediction of localized heavy rainfall. This paper provides an overview of the SINGV development, the latest NWP capabilities at MSS and some key results of evaluation. The paper describes science advances relevant to the development of any km-scale NWP suitable for the deep tropics and provides some insights into the impact of local data assimilation and utility of ensemble predictions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2279-2298
Author(s):  
Guillaume Thomas ◽  
Jean-François Mahfouf ◽  
Thibaut Montmerle

Abstract. This paper presents the potential of nonlinear and linear versions of an observation operator for simulating polarimetric variables observed by weather radars. These variables, deduced from the horizontally and vertically polarized backscattered radiations, give information about the shape, the phase and the distributions of hydrometeors. Different studies in observation space are presented as a first step toward their inclusion in a variational data assimilation context, which is not treated here. Input variables are prognostic variables forecasted by the AROME-France numerical weather prediction (NWP) model at convective scale, including liquid and solid hydrometeor contents. A nonlinear observation operator, based on the T-matrix method, allows us to simulate the horizontal and the vertical reflectivities (ZHH and ZVV), the differential reflectivity ZDR, the specific differential phase KDP and the co-polar correlation coefficient ρHV. To assess the uncertainty of such simulations, perturbations have been applied to input parameters of the operator, such as dielectric constant, shape and orientation of the scatterers. Statistics of innovations, defined by the difference between simulated and observed values, are then performed. After some specific filtering procedures, shapes close to a Gaussian distribution have been found for both reflectivities and for ZDR, contrary to KDP and ρHV. A linearized version of this observation operator has been obtained by its Jacobian matrix estimated with the finite difference method. This step allows us to study the sensitivity of polarimetric variables to hydrometeor content perturbations, in the model geometry as well as in the radar one. The polarimetric variables ZHH and ZDR appear to be good candidates for hydrometeor initialization, while KDP seems to be useful only for rain contents. Due to the weak sensitivity of ρHV, its use in data assimilation is expected to be very challenging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 28-42
Author(s):  
Yu.V. Alferov . ◽  
◽  
E.G. Klimova ◽  

A possibility of using the one-dimensional Kalman filter to improve the forecast of surface air temperature at an irregular grid of point is studied. This mechanism is tested using the forecasts obtained from different configurations of two different numerical weather prediction models. An algorithm for the statistical correction of numerical forecasts of surface air temperature based on the one-dimensional Kalman filter is constructed. Two methods are proposed for estimating the bias noise dispersion. The series of experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the algorithm for the bias compensation.The most significantresults are achieved for the models with large bias or for long-range forecasts. At the same time, the use of the algorithm has little effect on the root-meansquare error of the forecast. Keywords: hydrodynamic model of the atmosphere, numerical weather prediction, statistical correction of numerical forecasts, Kalman filter


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