Background error statistics for aerosols

10.1002/qj.37 ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (623) ◽  
pp. 391-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Benedetti ◽  
Michael Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error

scholarly journals Interpretation of Adaptive Observing Guidance for Atlantic Tropical Cyclones

2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (12) ◽  
pp. 4006-4029 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Reynolds ◽  
M. S. Peng ◽  
S. J. Majumdar ◽  
S. D. Aberson ◽  
C. H. Bishop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Error Variance ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Analysis Error ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perturbation Growth

Abstract Adaptive observing guidance products for Atlantic tropical cyclones are compared using composite techniques that allow one to quantitatively examine differences in the spatial structures of the guidance maps and relate these differences to the constraints and approximations of the respective techniques. The guidance maps are produced using the ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) based on ensembles from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and total-energy singular vectors (TESVs) produced by ECMWF and the Naval Research Laboratory. Systematic structural differences in the guidance products are linked to the fact that TESVs consider the dynamics of perturbation growth only, while the ETKF combines information on perturbation evolution with error statistics from an ensemble-based data assimilation scheme. The impact of constraining the SVs using different estimates of analysis error variance instead of a total-energy norm, in effect bringing the two methods closer together, is also assessed. When the targets are close to the storm, the TESV products are a maximum in an annulus around the storm, whereas the ETKF products are a maximum at the storm location itself. When the targets are remote from the storm, the TESVs almost always indicate targets northwest of the storm, whereas the ETKF targets are more scattered relative to the storm location and often occur over the northern North Atlantic. The ETKF guidance often coincides with locations in which the ensemble-based analysis error variance is large. As the TESV method is not designed to consider spatial differences in the likely analysis errors, it will produce targets over well-observed regions, such as the continental United States. Constraining the SV calculation using analysis error variance values from an operational 3D variational data assimilation system (with stationary, quasi-isotropic background error statistics) results in a modest modulation of the target areas away from the well-observed regions, and a modest reduction of perturbation growth. Constraining the SVs using the ETKF estimate of analysis error variance produces SV targets similar to ETKF targets and results in a significant reduction in perturbation growth, due to the highly localized nature of the analysis error variance estimates. These results illustrate the strong sensitivity of SVs to the norm (and to the analysis error variance estimate used to define it) and confirm that discrepancies between target areas computed using different methods reflect the mathematical and physical differences between the methods themselves.

scholarly journals Impact of Ground-based GPS PW and MM5-3DVar Background Error Statistics on Forecast of a Convective Case

SOLA ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-R. Guo ◽  
H. Kusaka ◽  
D. M. Barker ◽  
Y.-H. Kuo ◽  
A. Crook
Keyword(s):  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error

scholarly journals Simulation of Monsoon Depressions Using WRF-VAR: Impact of Different Background Error Statistics and Lateral Boundary Conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
pp. 3586-3613 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Routray ◽  
S. C. Kar ◽  
P. Mali ◽  
K. Sowjanya
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Variational Data Assimilation ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Single Observation ◽  
Monsoon Depressions ◽  
Data Assimilation System ◽  
Assimilation System

Abstract In a variational data assimilation system, background error statistics (BES) spread the influence of the observations in space and filter analysis increments through dynamic balance or statistical relationships. In a data-sparse region such as the Bay of Bengal, BES play an important role in defining the location and structure of monsoon depressions (MDs). In this study, the Indian-region-specific BES have been computed for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) three-dimensional variational data assimilation system. A comparative study using single observation tests is carried out using the computed BES and global BES within the WRF system. Both sets of BES are used in the assimilation cycles and forecast runs for simulating the meteorological features associated with the MDs. Numerical experiments have been conducted to assess the relative impact of various BES in the analysis and simulations of the MDs. The results show that use of regional BES in the assimilation cycle has a positive impact on the prediction of the location, propagation, and development of rainbands associated with the MDs. The track errors of MDs are smaller when domain-specific BES are used in the assimilation cycle. Additional experiments have been conducted using data from the Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) as initial and boundary conditions (IBCs) in the assimilation cycle. The results indicate that the use of domain-dependent BES and high-resolution ERA-I data as IBCs further improved the initial conditions for the model leading to better forecasts of the MDs.

scholarly journals Improvements in Forecasting Intense Rainfall: Results from the FRANC (Forecasting Rainfall Exploiting New Data Assimilation Techniques and Novel Observations of Convection) Project

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dance ◽  
Susan Ballard ◽  
Ross Bannister ◽  
Peter Clark ◽  
Hannah Cloke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Observation Error ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Convective Rainfall ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Spatially Correlated ◽  
Operational Forecasts ◽  
The Impact

The FRANC project (Forecasting Rainfall exploiting new data Assimilation techniques and Novel observations of Convection) has researched improvements in numerical weather prediction of convective rainfall via the reduction of initial condition uncertainty. This article provides an overview of the project’s achievements. We highlight new radar techniques: correcting for attenuation of the radar return; correction for beams that are over 90% blocked by trees or towers close to the radar; and direct assimilation of radar reflectivity and refractivity. We discuss the treatment of uncertainty in data assimilation: new methods for estimation of observation uncertainties with novel applications to Doppler radar winds, Atmospheric Motion Vectors, and satellite radiances; a new algorithm for implementation of spatially-correlated observation error statistics in operational data assimilation; and innovative treatment of moist processes in the background error covariance model. We present results indicating a link between the spatial predictability of convection and convective regimes, with potential to allow improved forecast interpretation. The research was carried out as a partnership between University researchers and the Met Office (UK). We discuss the benefits of this approach and the impact of our research, which has helped to improve operational forecasts for convective rainfall events.

scholarly journals Assimilation of Infrared Radiance Observations with Sensitivity to Land Surfaces in the Canadian Ensemble–Variational System

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Dutta ◽  
L. Garand ◽  
S. Heilliette
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Surface Emissivity ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Variational System ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Infrared Radiance ◽  
Forecast Lead Time ◽  
Surface Skin Temperature ◽  
Land Surfaces ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis study highlights recent progress at the Canadian Meteorological Centre in the assimilation of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) radiance observations that are sensitive to land surfaces. The assimilation is carried out using the Canadian global ensemble–variational system. That system benefits from flow-dependent background-error statistics that include covariances between surface skin temperature and atmospheric variables. Up to 142 channels from both AIRS and IASI are assimilated. A detailed database of spectral surface emissivity is used. Forecasts are evaluated against ERA-Interim analyses, own-cycle analyses, and radiosonde observations. A conservative approach is taken, with restrictive conditions on topography and surface emissivity. From 2-month assimilation experiments, a significant positive impact is obtained in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics beyond day 2 from the surface to the upper troposphere. The impact is mixed in other regions, depending on level or forecast lead time. Causes for these mixed results are examined in view of future experiments and eventual operational implementation.

scholarly journals Impact of variational assimilation using multivariate background error covariances on the simulation of monsoon depressions over India

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dhanya ◽  
A. Chandrasekar
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Initial Time ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Skill Scores ◽  
Correlation Information ◽  
Monsoon Depressions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The background error covariance structure influences a variational data assimilation system immensely. The simulation of a weather phenomenon like monsoon depression can hence be influenced by the background correlation information used in the analysis formulation. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model Data assimilation (WRFDA) system includes an option for formulating multivariate background correlations for its three-dimensional variational (3DVar) system (cv6 option). The impact of using such a formulation in the simulation of three monsoon depressions over India is investigated in this study. Analysis and forecast fields generated using this option are compared with those obtained using the default formulation for regional background error correlations (cv5) in WRFDA and with a base run without any assimilation. The model rainfall forecasts are compared with rainfall observations from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and the other model forecast fields are compared with a high-resolution analysis as well as with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim reanalysis. The results of the study indicate that inclusion of additional correlation information in background error statistics has a moderate impact on the vertical profiles of relative humidity, moisture convergence, horizontal divergence and the temperature structure at the depression centre at the analysis time of the cv5/cv6 sensitivity experiments. Moderate improvements are seen in two of the three depressions investigated in this study. An improved thermodynamic and moisture structure at the initial time is expected to provide for improved rainfall simulation. The results of the study indicate that the skill scores of accumulated rainfall are somewhat better for the cv6 option as compared to the cv5 option for at least two of the three depression cases studied, especially at the higher threshold levels. Considering the importance of utilising improved flow-dependent correlation structures for efficient data assimilation, the need for more studies on the impact of background error covariances is obvious.

Near-Surface Wind Observation Impact on Forecasts: Temporal Propagation of the Analysis Increment

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 1549-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joël Bédard ◽  
Stéphane Laroche ◽  
Pierre Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Lead Time ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Forecast Accuracy ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Geophysical Model ◽  
Model Output Statistics ◽  
Mass Field

Abstract This study examines the assimilation of near-surface wind observations over land to improve wind nowcasting and short-term tropospheric forecasts. A new geostatistical operator based on geophysical model output statistics (GMOS) is compared with a bilinear interpolation scheme (Bilin). The multivariate impact on forecasts and the temporal evolution of the analysis increments produced are examined as well as the influence of background error covariances on different components of the prediction system. Results show that Bilin significantly degrades surface and upper-air fields when assimilating only wind data from 4942 SYNOP stations. GMOS on the other hand produces smaller increments that are in better agreement with the model state. It leads to better short-term near-surface wind forecasts and does not deteriorate the upper-air forecasts. The information persists longer in the system with GMOS, although the local improvements do not propagate beyond 6-h lead time. Initial model tendencies indicate that the mass field is not significantly altered when using static error covariances and the boundary layer parameterizations damp the poorly balanced increment locally. Conversely, most of the analysis increment is propagated when using flow-dependent error statistics. It results in better balanced wind and mass fields and provides a more persistent impact on the forecasts. Forecast accuracy results from observing system experiments (assimilating SYNOP winds with all observations used operationally) are generally neutral. Nevertheless, forecasts and analyses from GMOS are more self-consistent than those from both Bilin and a control experiment (not assimilating near-surface winds over land) and the information from the observations persists up to 12-h lead time.

Inhomogeneous Background Error Modeling and Estimation over Antarctica

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 2229-2252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann Michel ◽  
Thomas Auligné
Keyword(s):  
Wrf Model ◽  
Error Modeling ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Recursive Filters ◽  
Error Covariance ◽  
Function Decomposition ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Assimilation Scheme

Abstract The structure of the analysis increments in a variational data assimilation scheme is strongly driven by the formulation of the background error covariance matrix, especially in data-sparse areas such as the Antarctic region. The gridpoint background error modeling in this study makes use of regression-based balance operators between variables, empirical orthogonal function decomposition to define the vertical correlations, gridpoint variances, and high-order efficient recursive filters to impose horizontal correlations. A particularity is that the regression operators and the recursive filters have been made spatially inhomogeneous. The computation of the background error statistics is performed with the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model from a set of forecast differences. The mesoscale limited-area domains of interest cover Antarctica. Inhomogeneities of background errors are shown to be related to the particular orography and physics of the area. Differences seem particularly pronounced between ocean and land boundary layers.

scholarly journals Representing model error in ensemble data assimilation

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 971-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cardinali ◽  
N. Žagar ◽  
G. Radnoti ◽  
R. Buizza
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Covariance Matrix ◽  
Model Error ◽  
The Other ◽  
Error Statistics ◽  
Model Uncertainties ◽  
Background Error ◽  
Error Covariance ◽  
Ensemble Data ◽  
Assimilation System

Abstract. The paper investigates a method to represent model error in the ensemble data assimilation (EDA) system. The ECMWF operational EDA simulates the effect of both observations and model uncertainties. Observation errors are represented by perturbations with statistics characterized by the observation error covariance matrix whilst the model uncertainties are represented by stochastic perturbations added to the physical tendencies to simulate the effect of random errors in the physical parameterizations (ST-method). In this work an alternative method (XB-method) is proposed to simulate model uncertainties by adding perturbations to the model background field. In this way the error represented is not just restricted to model error in the usual sense but potentially extends to any form of background error. The perturbations have the same correlation as the background error covariance matrix and their magnitude is computed from comparing the high-resolution operational innovation variances with the ensemble variances when the ensemble is obtained by perturbing only the observations (OBS-method). The XB-method has been designed to represent the short range model error relevant for the data assimilation window. Spread diagnostic shows that the XB-method generates a larger spread than the ST-method that is operationally used at ECMWF, in particular in the extratropics. Three-dimensional normal-mode diagnostics indicate that XB-EDA spread projects more than the spread from the other EDAs onto the easterly inertia-gravity modes associated with equatorial Kelvin waves, tropical dynamics and, in general, model error sources. The background error statistics from the above described EDAs have been employed in the assimilation system. The assimilation system performance showed that the XB-method background error statistics increase the observation influence in the analysis process. The other EDA background error statistics, when inflated by a global factor, generate analyses with 30–50% smaller degree of freedom of signal. XB-EDA background error variances have not been inflated. The presented EDAs have been used to generate the initial perturbations of the ECMWF ensemble prediction system (EPS) of which the XB-EDA induces the largest EPS spread, also in the medium range, leading to a more reliable ensemble. Compared to ST-EDA, XB-EDA leads to a small improvement of the EPS ignorance skill score at day 3 and 7.

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