Near-Real-Time Mesoscale Model Verification and Forecast System

The UAF Experimental Alaska Near-Real-Time Model and Verification System is based on the Penn State/National Center for Atmospheric Research MM5 Mesoscale Modeling system. Our system, housed on an eight-processor  Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 computer, complements operational runs of MM5 conducted at the  Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) for numerous limited area domains on an IBM SP-2 massively parallel computer. Our near-real-time system focuses on two functions:

• Providing a means for extensive verification of AFWA operational runs as well as producing and developing diagnostic products suitable for various applications, with an emphasis on aviation applications.
• Providing a basis for experimental MM5 simulations (and associated diagnostic products] that aim to improve AFWA’s operational MM5 simulations and forecast products, with an emphasis in high latitudes.

A schematic and description of the entire system.

Views of the 45-km and 15-km domains can be found .

Recent verification graphics .

      This work comprises part of UAF’s contribution to the Department of Defense’s University Partnering for Operational Support (UPOS ) Initiative, and we thank DOD, the Space Department at Johns Hopkins University, NCAR, the Alaska Region of the National Weather Service , the UAF Geophysical Institute and the International Arctic Research Centre for their support. We also acknowledge contributions from the Alaska Data Visualization and Analysis Laboratory, the NASA GSFC Earth Sciences (GES) Distributed Active Archive Center and the Alaska Region of the Federal Aviation Administration for their support.