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At least 829 records · Page 46

Transport models for numerical forecast

The explosive growth of computing power, coupled with scientific and technological emphasis on a national scale, has led to significant major advances in operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) during the last two decades. There are about half a dozen major centers around the world running global NWP models operationally. Many more countries have operational hemispheric or limited-area models which provide weather forecasts. The global models typically have several hundred kilometer resolution, while the limited-area models usually have horizontal spacing of 50 to 100 km. Given the pace of burgeoning growth in this area, it seems warranted to occasionally take an overview of aspects of the field common to all modelers. Here, a brief look is taken at the nature of subgrid scale turbulence transport parameterization, and some of the difficulties pertaining thereto, with particular emphasis on operational NWP models.

Burk, Stephen D.↗

Analysis and forecast experiments incorporating satellite soundings and cloud and water vapor drift wind information

A system for assimilating conventional meteorological data and satellite-derived data in order to produce four-dimensional gridded data sets of the primary atmospheric variables used for updating limited area forecast models is described. The basic principles of a data assimilation scheme as proposed by Lorenc (1984) are discussed. The design of the system and its incremental assimilation cycles are schematically presented. The assimilation system was tested using radiosonde, buoy, VAS temperature, dew point, gradient wind data, cloud drift, and water vapor motion data. The rms vector errors for the data are analyzed.

Goodman, Brian M.↗

Military needs and forecast, 2

FORECAST 2 has accomplished its objectives of identifying high leverage technologies for corporate Air Force review. Implementation is underway with emphasis on restructuring existing programs and programming resources in the FY88 BES/FY89 POM. Many joint service/agency opportunities exist.

Goldstayn, Alan B.↗

The combined use of diagnosed mesoscale frontogenesis and satellite imagery in forecasting squall line formation

The appearance of a line of small cumulus congestus clouds along a cold front in conjunction with developing mesoscale clear zone immediately behind the front was used to infer the existence of a meso-Beta-scale frontogenetical circulation capable of squall line initiation. The very short-range forecasting (2 to 6 hr) capabilities of synthesizing GOES imagery with diagnostic frontogenesis analyses of conventional surface data to predict the precise location and time of formation of such convective activity is demonstrated. The observations support the frontogenesis hypothesis postulated by Koch (1984).

Dorian, Paul↗

Applications products of aviation forecast models

A service called the Optimum Path Aircraft Routing System (OPARS) supplies products based on output data from the Naval Oceanographic Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS), a model run on a Cyber-205 computer. Temperatures and winds are extracted from the surface to 100 mb, approximately 55,000 ft. Forecast winds are available in six-hour time steps.

Garthner, John P.↗

National plans for aircraft icing and improved aircraft icing forecasts and associated warning services

Recently, the United States has increased its activities related to aircraft icing in numerous fields: ice phobics, revised characterization of icing conditions, instrument development/evaluation, de-ice/anti-ice devices, simulated supercooled clouds, computer simulation and flight tests. The Federal Coordinator for Meteorology is involved in two efforts, one a National Plan on Aircraft Icing and the other a plan for Improved Aircraft Icing Forecasts and Associated Warning Services. These two plans will provide an approved structure for future U.S. activities related to aircraft icing. The recommended activities will significantly improve the position of government agencies to perform mandated activities and to enable U.S. manufacturers to be competitive in the world market.

Pass, Ralph P.↗

Comparative verification between GEM model and official aviation terminal forecasts

The Generalized Exponential Markov (GEM) model uses the local standard airways observation (SAO) to predict hour-by-hour the following elements: temperature, pressure, dew point depression, first and second cloud-layer height and amount, ceiling, total cloud amount, visibility, wind, and present weather conditions. GEM is superior to persistence at all projections for all elements in a large independent sample. A minute-by-minute GEM forecasting system utilizing the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) is under development.

Miller, Robert G.↗

The effect of a gravity wave drag parameterization scheme on GLA fourth order GCM forecasts

Ten-day forecast experiments have been performed to determined whether the introduction of a simple orographic gravity wave drag scheme into a fourth-order GCM would reduce the climate drift of the fine resolution model and improve the model's medium range predictive skill. Error reduction due to the gravity waves is found in stratospheric predictions, where the improvement is confined mainly to the zonal mean component. Improvements are noted in the Northern Hemisphere climatology, where low level westerlies are weakened and shifted poleward, and in the Southern Hemisphere, where the roaring forties and fifties are better simulated.

Helfand, H. M.↗

Technology forecast and applications for autonomous, intelligent systems

Significant research products which have emerged from the core program of NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) are discussed. The Space Station Thermal Control System, the Space Shuttle Integrated Communications Officer Station, the Launch Processing System, the Expert Scheduling System for Pioneer Venus Spacecraft, a Bayesian classification system, and a spaceborne multiprocessor system are included. The technology trends which led to these results are discussed and future developments in technology are forecasted.

Lum, Henry, Jr.↗

Solar proton event forecasts

The United States operates a space weather service to provide information on space hazards including solar proton events to Federal government agencies and other users who operate systems that are affected by disturbances in the upper atmosphere and interplanetary environment. The observation and prediction of solar proton events has been continuous through solar cycle 21 (1976 to 1986), establishing a base of experience that can be used in providing similar support to space operations in the 1990's. The observations, indices, alerts, and forecasts used in the service are described. Also provided is a short summary of the experience obtained from making proton event predictions in solar cycle 21 including the years 1976 to 1986.

Heckman, G. R.↗

4-D techniques for evaluation of atmospheric model forecasts

A capability for four-dimensional display of meteorological data is being developed at the Space Science and Engineering Center of the University of Wisconsin. McIDAS is used for all aspects of the analysis, including acquiring data, running the model. storing the output, and displaying the results. A version of the Australian Regional Analysis and Forecast Models was applied to the eastern portion of the USA and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. The assimilation system is being used to analyze intensive observing periods during the GALE (Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment) field experiment.

Santek, David↗

Could modern forecasting techniques have predicted the blizzard of 1888?

Surface meteorological data for March 1888, which were collected at 170 stations across the U.S. three times a day, are combined with ship reports to construct a surface weather analysis for the blizzard of 1888. Surface weather charts are constructed to determine the ability of current forecasting techniques to predict the blizzard. The evolution of the storm is described in detail and current methods for treating a storm of similar intensity are discussed.

Kocin, Paul J.↗

A mesoscale numerical simulation of an index for use in the forecasting of the potential severity of wet microbursts

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of using the wet microburst potential intensity index developed by Proctor (1989) for predicting the onset of a wet microburst. After describing the index and the principles involved in its derivation, the version 4.0 of the Mesoscale Atmospheric Simulation System (MASS) model described by Karyampudi et al. (1988) was used to illustrate how the index would perform as a forecast product. An analysis is presented of the use of the microburst potential intensity index in the numerical simulation of the DFR aircraft accident on August 2, 1985 in a downburst environment.

Zack, John W.↗

Short-term forecasting of thunderstorms at Kennedy Space Center, based on the surface wind field

Techniques incorporating wind convergence that can be used for the short-term prediction of thunderstorm development are described. With these techniques, the convergence signal is sensed by the wind network array 15 to 90 min before actual storm development. Particular attention is given to the convergence cell technique (which has been applied at the Kennedy Space Center) where each convective region is analyzed independently. It is noted that, while the monitoring of areal and cellular convergence can be used to help locate the seeds of developing thunderstorms and pinpoint the lightning threat areas, this forecasting aid cannot be used in isolation.

Watson, Andrew I.↗

Tropical forecasting - Predictability perspective

Results are presented of classical predictability studies and forecast experiments with observed initial conditions to show the nature of initial error growth and final error equilibration for the tropics and midlatitudes, separately. It is found that the theoretical upper limit of tropical circulation predictability is far less than for midlatitudes. The error growth for a complete general circulation model is compared to a dry version of the same model in which there is no prognostic equation for moisture, and diabatic heat sources are prescribed. It is found that the growth rate of synoptic-scale errors for the dry model is significantly smaller than for the moist model, suggesting that the interactions between dynamics and moist processes are among the important causes of atmospheric flow predictability degradation. Results are then presented of numerical experiments showing that correct specification of the slowly varying boundary condition of SST produces significant improvement in the prediction of time-averaged circulation and rainfall over the tropics.

Shukla, J.↗

Multi-spacecraft testing of time-dependent interplanetary MHD models for operational forecasting of geomagnetic storms

An MHD 2-1/2D, time-dependent model is used, together with observations of six solar flares during February 3-7, 1986, to demonstrate global, large-scale, compound disturbances in the solar wind over a wide range of heliolongitudes. This scenario is one that is likely to occur many times during the cruise, possibly even encounter, phases of the Multi-Comet Mission. It is suggested that a model such as this one should be tested with multi-spacecraft data (such as the MCM and earth-based probes) with several goals in view: (1) utility of the model for operational real-time forecasting of geomagnetic storms, and (2) scientific interpretation of certain forms of cometary activities and their possible association with solar-generated activity.

Dryer, M.↗