A Prototype Regional GSI-based EnKF-Variational Hybrid Data Assimilation System for the Rapid Refresh Forecasting System:Dual-Resolution Implementation and Testing Results

A dual-resolution(DR) version of a regional ensemble Kalman filter(EnKF)-3D ensemble variational(3DEnVar) coupled hybrid data assimilation system is implemented as a prototype for the operational Rapid Refresh forecasting system. The DR 3DEnVar system combines a high-resolution(HR) deterministic background forecast with lower-resolution(LR) EnKF ensemble perturbations used for flow-dependent background error covariance to produce a HR analysis. The computational cost is substantially reduced by running the ensemble forecasts and EnKF analyses at LR. The DR 3DEnVar system is tested with 3-h cycles over a 9-day period using a 40/13-km grid spacing combination. The HR forecasts from the DR hybrid analyses are compared with forecasts launched from HR Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation(GSI) 3D variational(3DVar)analyses, and single LR hybrid analyses interpolated to the HR grid. With the DR 3DEnVar system, a 90% weight for the ensemble covariance yields the lowest forecast errors and the DR hybrid system clearly outperforms the HR GSI 3DVar.Humidity and wind forecasts are also better than those launched from interpolated LR hybrid analyses, but the temperature forecasts are slightly worse. The humidity forecasts are improved most. For precipitation forecasts, the DR 3DEnVar always outperforms HR GSI 3DVar. It also outperforms the LR 3DEnVar, except for the initial forecast period and lower thresholds.     

Impacts of Multigrid NLS-4DVar-based Doppler Radar Observation Assimilation on Numerical Simulations of Landfalling Typhoon Haikui (2012)

We applied the multigrid nonlinear least-squares four-dimensional variational assimilation(MG-NLS4DVar) method in data assimilation and prediction experiments for Typhoon Haikui(2012) using the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model. Observation data included radial velocity(V_r) and reflectivity(Z) data from a single Doppler radar, quality controlled prior to assimilation. Typhoon prediction results were evaluated and compared between the NLS-4DVar and MG-NLS4DVar methods. Compared with a forecast that began with NCEP analysis data, our radar data assimilation results were clearly improved in terms of structure, intensity, track, and precipitation prediction for Typhoon Haikui(2012). The results showed that the assimilation accuracy of the NLS-4DVar method was similar to that of the MG-NLS4DVar method,but that the latter was more efficient. The assimilation of V_r alone and Z alone each improved predictions of typhoon intensity, track, and precipitation; however, the impacts of V_r data were significantly greater that those of Z data.Assimilation window-length sensitivity experiments showed that a 6-h assimilation window with 30-min assimilation intervals produced slightly better results than either a 3-h assimilation window with 15-min assimilation intervals or a 1-h assimilation window with 6-min assimilation intervals.     

四维集合变分同化方法在华南冬季暴雨模拟中的应用

利用WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting）模式和基于本征正交分解的四维集合变分同化方法（POD-4DEnVar）,对2015年12月9日一次华南暴雨过程进行多普勒雷达资料同化试验,并与三维变分同化试验（WRF-3DVar）进行对比,讨论了POD-4DEnVar方法中局地化半径对模拟效果的敏感性。结果表明,比较不同化雷达资料的控制试验,WRF-3DVar和WRF-POD-4DEnVar试验的降水模拟结果得到明显改善,且WRF-POD-4DEnVar的降水强度更接近实况。两种同化方法通过改变不同的初始要素达到改进降水模拟效果的目的,3DVar方法通过调整初始风场,间接减弱暴雨发生的水汽条件,POD-4DEnVar方法则直接调整湿度场。在降水过程中,同化试验改变了冷空气活动和水汽通量辐合的模拟结果,从而改善降水的模拟效果。POD-4DEnVar方法对局地化半径比较敏感,随局地化半径增大,同化对风场和湿度场的影响范围扩大,当局地化半径取为200 km时,降水模拟的效果最好。      

Assimilation of Doppler Radar Data with an Ensemble 3DEnVar Approach to Improve Convective Forecasting

An ensemble three-dimensional ensemble-variational(3DEnVar)data assimilation(E3DA)system was developed within the Weather Research and Forecasting model’s 3DVar framework to assimilate radar data to improve convective forecasting.In this system,ensemble perturbations are updated by an ensemble of 3DEnVar and the ensemble forecasts are used to generate the flow-dependent background error covariance.The performance of the E3DA system was first evaluated against one experiment without radar DA and one radar DA experiment with 3DVar,using a severe storm case over southeastern China on 5 June 2009.Results indicated that E3DA improved the quantitative forecast skills of reflectivity and precipitation,as well as their spatial distributions in terms of both intensity and coverage over 3DVar.The root-mean-square error of radial velocity from 3DVar was reduced by E3DA,with stronger low-level wind closer to observation.It was also found that E3DA improved the wind,temperature and water vapor mixing ratio,with the lowest errors at the surface and upper levels.3DVar showed moderate improvements in comparison with forecasts without radar DA.A diagnosis of the analysis revealed that E3DA increased vertical velocity,temperature,and humidity corresponding to the added reflectivity,while 3DVar failed to produce these adjustments,because of the lack of reasonable cross-variable correlations.The performance of E3DA was further verified using two convective cases over southern and southeastern China,and the reflectivity forecast skill was also improved over 3DVar.     

The Impact of Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation within a Frequently Updated Regional Forecast System Using a GSI-based Ensemble Kalman Filter

A regional ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation (DA) and forecast system was recently established based on the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) analysis system. The EnKF DA system was tested with continuous threehourly updated cycles followed by 18-h deterministic forecasts from every three-hourly ensemble mean analysis. Initial tests showed negative to neutral impacts of assimilating satellite radiance data due to the improper bias correction procedure. In this study, two bias correction schemes within the established EnKF DA system are investigated and the impact of assimilating additional polar-orbiting satellite radiance is also investigated. Two group experiments are conducted. The purpose of the first group is to evaluate the bias correction procedure. Two online bias correction methods based on GSI 3DVar and EnKF algorithms are used to assimilate AMSU-A radiance data. Results show that both variational and EnKF-based bias correction procedures effectively reduce the observation and background radiance differences, achieving positive impacts on forecasts. With proper bias correction, we assimilate full radiance observations including AMSU-A, AMSU-B, AIRS, HIRS3/4, and MHS in the second group. The relative percentage improvements(RPIs) for all forecast variables compared to those without radiance data assimilation are mostly positive, with the RPI of upper-air relative humidity being the largest. Additionally, precipitation forecasts on a downscaled 13-km grid from 40-km EnKF analyses are also improved by radiance assimilation for almost all forecast hours.     

The WRF 3DVar System Combined with Physical Initialization for Assimilation of Doppler Radar Data

The three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVar) system of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model (WRF-Var) is further developed with a physical initialization (PI) procedure to assimilate Doppler radar radial velocity and reflectivity observations. In this updated 3DVar system, specific humidity, cloud water content, and vertical velocity are first derived from reflectivity with PI, then the model fields of specific humidity and cloud water content are replaced with the modified ones, and finally, the estimated vertical velocity is added to the cost-function of the existing WRF-Var (version 2.0) as a new observation type, and radial velocity observations are assimilated directly by the method afforded by WRF-Var. The new assimilation scheme is tested with a heavy convective precipitation event in the middle reaches of Yangtze River on 19 June 2002 and a Meiyu front torrential rain event in the Huaihe River Basin on 5 July 2003. Assimilation results show that the increments of analyzed variables correspond well with the horizontal distribution of the observed reflectivity. There are positive increments of cloud water content, specific humidity, and vertical velocity in echo region and negative increments of vertical velocity in echo-free region where the increments of horizontal winds present a clockwise transition. Results of forecast experiments show that the effects of adjusting cloud water content or vertical velocity directly with PI on forecast are not obvious. Adjusting specific humidity shows better performance in forecasting the precipitation than directly adjusting cloud water content or vertical velocity. Significant improvement in predicting precipitation as well as in reducing the model's spin-up time are achieved when radial velocity and reflectivity observations are assimilated with the new scheme.     

雷达观测对应模式变量非线性特征及对四维变分同化的影响

四维变分同化（4DVar）中切线性模式和伴随模式的时间积分长度即为同化时间窗的长度。为理解线性模式时间积分长度对4DVar的具体影响,在雷达观测对应变量非线性分析的基础上,进行了一系列不同时间窗（10 min、20 min和30 min）4DVar单点观测试验和一次降雨的实际雷达同化和预报试验。从径向风同化来看:短时间窗（10 min）的风场增量更大、更局地;长时间窗(20 min、30 min)的风场增量则更具系统性特征,但会丢失一些小尺度信息,导致暴雨预报能力降低。从反射率同化来看:短时间窗对6 h内强降水预报有较明显的改善,较长时间窗甚至会降低降水预报效果。研究旨在为合理设置4DVar的同化时间窗提供参考,以有效利用高时空分辨率的雷达观测资料,又尽量减小线性化造成的误差,进而快速有效地同化雷达信息。      

Doppler Radar Data Assimilation with a Local SVD-En3DVar Method

An observation localization scheme is introduced into an ensemble-based three-dimensional variational (3DVar) assimilation method based on the singular value decomposition technique (SVD-En3DVar) to improve assimilation skill. A point-by-point analysis technique is adopted in which the weight of each observation decreases with increasing distance between the analysis point and the observation point. A set of numerical experiments, in which simulated Doppler radar data are assimilated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, is designed to test the scheme. The results are compared with those obtained using the original global and local patch schemes in SVD-En3DVar, neither of which includes this type of observation localization. The observation localization scheme not only eliminates spurious analysis increments in areas of missing data, but also avoids the discontinuous analysis fields that arise from the local patch scheme. The new scheme provides better analysis fields and a more reasonable short-range rainfall forecast than the original schemes. Additional forecast experiments that assimilate real data from 10 radars indicate that the short-term precipitation forecast skill can be improved by assimilating radar data and the observation localization scheme provides a better forecast than the other two schemes.     

预分析初始扰动样本对降维投影四维变分同化性能的影响

降维投影四维变分同化(DRP-4DVar)方法的背景误差协方差是由基于历史预报的扰动样本统计得到的,为了改进降维投影四维变分同化系统中背景误差协方差的流依赖特性,提出了对初始扰动样本进行预分析的新思路,即在对背景场分析之前,利用降维投影四维变分同化系统本身对每个样本进行预先分析,使得统计出的背景误差协方差随实际的天气形势而变化,从而实现其在真正意义上的流依赖,且在循环同化时能够避免滤波发散现象的出现。试验结果表明,对样本进行预先分析能够通过改善同化系统中背景误差协方差的空间结构和流依赖特性,来进一步改进降维投影四维变分同化方法的性能,为数值模式提供更精确的初始场,从而提高了基本模式变量的预报精度,并改善了对强降水的模拟能力。相比较而言,对所有初始扰动样本都进行了预分析的同化试验能够得到最优的分析和预报。     

三维变分同化机载雷达资料对飓风预报的影响研究——2012年Isaac试验

随着气旋内部资料(Inner core data)在热带气旋预报中的使用,其重要性逐渐受到人们越来越多的关注。为了研究该资料中尾部机载雷达(Tail Doppler Radar,TDR)资料在业务系统中的应用效果,本文利用2012年飓风等级热带气旋Isaac期间的TDR资料,采用业务HWRF(Weather Research and Forecasting model for Hurricane)数值模式与业务GSI(Grid-point Statistical Interpolation system)三维变分同化(Three-Dimensional Variational Data Assimilation, 3DVar)系统对TDR资料进行了同化,展开了一系列预报试验,并对其效果进行了分析和研究。结果表明与HWRF的业务预报相比,GSI系统同化TDR资料后对热带气旋的路径和强度预报有明显改进;但其同化效果同时也表明业务三维变分中的静态背景误差协方差在TDR资料的应用中仍需要进一步的改进。     

TAMDAR Observation Assimilation in WRF 3D-Var and Its Impact on Hurricane Ike (2008) Forecast

This study evaluates the impact of atmospheric observations from the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) observing system on numerical weather prediction of hurricane Ike (2008) using three-dimensional data assimilation system for the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model (WRF 3D-Var). The TAMDAR data assimilation capability is added to WRF 3D-Var by incorporating the TAMDAR observation operator and corresponding observation processing procedure. Two 6-h cycling data assimilation and forecast experiments are conducted. Track and intensity forecasts are verified against the best track data from the National Hurricane Center. The results show that, on average, assimilating TAMDAR observations has a positive impact on the forecasts of hurricane Ike. The TAMDAR data assimilation reduces the track errors by about 30 km for 72-h forecasts. Improvements in intensity forecasts are also seen after four 6-h data assimilation cycles. Diagnostics show that assimilation of TAMDAR data improves subtropical ridge and steering flow in regions along Ike’s track, resulting in better forecasts.     

An Economical Approach to Four-dimensional Variational Data Assimilation

Four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVar) is one of the most promising methods to provide optimal analysis for numerical weather prediction (NWP). Five national NWP centers in the world have successfully applied 4DVar methods in their global NWPs, thanks to the increment method and adjoint technique. However, the application of 4DVar is still limited by the computer resources available at many NWP centers and research institutes. It is essential, therefore, to further reduce the computational cost of 4DVar. Here, an economical approach to implement 4DVar is proposed, using the technique of dimension-reduced projection (DRP), which is called ``DRP-4DVar." The proposed approach is based on dimension reduction using an ensemble of historical samples to define a subspace. It directly obtains an optimal solution in the reduced space by fitting observations with historical time series generated by the model to form consistent forecast states, and therefore does not require implementation of the adjoint of tangent linear approximation. To evaluate the performance of the DRP-4DVar on assimilating different types of mesoscale observations, some observing system simulation experiments are conducted using MM5 and a comparison is made between adjoint-based 4DVar and DRP-4DVar using a 6-hour assimilation window.     

基于VDRAS的快速更新雷达四维变分分析系统

基于雷达资料快速更新四维变分同化 (RR4DVar) 技术和三维数值云模式,初步研发了一个针对对流尺度数值模拟的快速更新雷达四维变分分析系统。系统通过对京津冀6部多普勒天气雷达资料进行RR4DVar同化,并融合5 min自动气象站观测和中尺度数值模式结果,可快速分析得到12~18 min更新的低层大气三维动力、热力场的对流尺度结构特征。针对2009年7月22日发生在京津冀的一次强风暴个例,通过一系列敏感性试验,并利用局地加密资料进行检验对比,表明有效的雷达资料RR4DVar同化及自动气象站和中尺度模式资料融合方案、恰当的中尺度背景场设置和动力约束方法是获得合理结果的关键。研究也表明:恰当的系统配置能够模拟出与对流生消发展密切相关的近风暴环境特征,包括低层入流、垂直风切变、低层辐合上升和暖舌等,以及风暴自身形成的冷池、出流等与风暴演变密切相关的对流尺度结构。     

SVD-En3DVar方法同化多普勒雷达速度观测资料 I. 模拟资料试验

利用WRF模式及模式模拟的资料,开展了利用SVD-En3DVar(基于集合和SVD技术的三维变分同化方法)方法同化雷达径向速度资料的试验.由于雷达观测经常出现大面积空缺,同化时引入了一种局地化方法避免远距离虚假相关的影响.试验着重研究了不同的初始扰动样本产生方法以及不同的样本积分时间对同化结果的影响.提出了一种为预报集...     

不同观测误差确定方法对地基GNSS-ZTD资料同化预报效果影响的对比分析

利用2016年6—8月华北—东北地区的地基全球卫星导航系统的天顶总延迟（GNSS-ZTD）观测资料、东北区域中尺度数值预报系统,以2016年6—8月的13 d强降水为例,开展基于Desroziers等（2005）理论的Des方法和传统方法进行观测误差确定的天顶总延迟资料同化对比试验研究,探讨Des方法相对于传统观测误差确定方法对天顶总延迟资料同化预报效果的影响,并以未做天顶总延迟资料同化的试验为对照试验,考察天顶总延迟资料在数值模式中的同化应用效果。结果表明:（1）Des方法得到的天顶总延迟观测误差诊断值较为合理,诊断值站点间差别较大,说明逐站进行观测误差诊断的必要性;（2）天顶总延迟资料同化使强降水的强度、落区预报性能得到提高,使温、湿、风等要素的预报与观测接近,Des方案同化分析、预报效果优于传统方案;（3）对2016年7月25日华北—东北强降水过程进行了同化预报分析,整体而言,天顶总延迟资料同化有效增强了对流层中低层初始湿度场,修正了积分初期水凝物含量与位置,进而改善了降水预报效果,修正了对照试验对辽宁东部地区强降水的明显漏报,且通过降水的反馈作用改进了温度与风场预报效果。基于Des方法逐站诊断观测误差相比传统方法得到的观测误差更为合理,因此能够提高天顶总延迟资料的同化预报效果,同化天顶总延迟资料能够提高降水及温、湿、风等气象要素的预报水平。      

循环同化雷达资料对一次飑线系统临近预报的改进作用

利用WRF（Weather Research Forecast）模式及其3D-Var（Three-Dimensional Variational assimilation）变分系统,针对2017年7月7日一次飑线进行了雷达资料的循环同化敏感性试验。结果表明：以循环同化雷达资料至飑线成熟期时刻的试验预报效果最好,主要原因在于预报的低层西北冷空气较强,从而导致较强的低层切变,再配合强的热力不稳定条件从而使飑线的发展得以维持。通过七组试验对比表明,对于单次雷达资料,同化的时机更为重要。同化飑线成熟阶段的雷达反射率,对低层热力层结有改善作用,为飑线发展提供了不稳定能量;对于循环同化,通过观测的影响和模式自身的热动力调整,对流场也有较好的修正作用,为对流系统的持续发展提供了充分的动力条件。     

一种新的资料同化方法

为寻求一种快速有效的四维变分资料同化(英文缩写4DVar)作了有意义的尝试,提出了映射观测的新概念和反向四维变分资料同化的新思路,并以此为基础建立了三维变分映射资料同化(英文缩写为3DVM:3-DimensionalVariational data assimilation of Mapped observation)。该方法与传统的四维变分资料同化一样,不仅考虑了模式的动力和物理约束,使得同化后的初值与模式协调,而且通过模式方程对同化窗口中不同时刻的观测资料作了最佳拟合。与传统四维变分同化方法不同的是,由3DVM得到的初值不在同化窗口的始端,而在窗口的末端。正是所求初值时刻的改变,使得该方法的计算代价大大减少,几乎与三维变分资料同化(英文缩写3DVar)相当,这实际上是用3DVar的代价实现了4DVar的功能。同时,由于3DVM不再需要切线性和伴随近似来计算代价函数的梯度也提高了同化的精度。对具体的台风个例(Dan)用AMSU-A反演的温度场进行变分同化模拟试验,发现3DVM能比传统4DVar产生更好的初值,而且所花计算时间只需4DVar的1/7。     

GRAPES Hybrid-3DVar对台风苏迪罗的数值试验

为了把反映天气形势变化的背景误差协方差引入到变分分析系统中来提高分析质量,本文在GRAPES区域三维变分框架的基础上通过扩展控制变量方法实现动态与静态背景误差协方差耦合,建立混合三维变分分析系统（GRAPES Hybrid-3DVar）。通过控制变量扰动产生的集合样本进行单点观测分析试验验证Hybrid-3DVar及其局地化方案的合理性,并针对台风苏迪罗进行实际观测资料同化和数值预报试验,结果表明:用集合样本描述的背景误差协方差是随着天气流型变化的,动力场和质量场的离散度在台风中心处最大,因而混合同化的分析增量包含更多细微结构和中小尺度信息;其分析和24 h内预报要素质量优于3DVar,24 h内降水强度和落区预报也更准确,混合同化分析改善了3DVar分析的降水空报问题;同时混合同化分析的24 h内台风路径预报也最接近实况,台风强度预报在48 h之内都比3DVar更接近观测。     

CMA-MESO三维变分同化系统2 m相对湿度资料同化研究

为了提高CMA-MESO （China Meteorological Administration Mesoscale model）（原GRAPES）三维变分同化系统中2 m相对湿度资料的应用效果,改善模式中相对湿度的分析和降水预报效果,分析了2015年6—8月T639（T639L60全球中期数值预报系统,0.28125°×0.28125°）分析场低层相对湿度和2 m相对湿度之差与表征稳定度的理查森数（Ri）的关系,发现二者有很好的相关,Ri＜0时,模式低层相对湿度与2 m相对湿度的差异较小,基本在同化观测误差范围内。依据该统计结果,对CMA-MESO同化系统中2 m相对湿度同化方案进行优化,Ri＜0时,将观测站地形低于模式地形的2 m相对湿度观测由观测站高度改为模式最低层高度进行同化,形成新的2 m相对湿度同化方案,旨在解决2 m相对湿度资料同化时模式地形高度与观测站高度不同的影响。2018年7月CMA-MESO三维变分同化系统（3DVar）个例和连续试验结果显示:新的2 m相对湿度同化方案同化分析资料数量明显增加,且08时多于20时（北京时）,新增观测点新息向量（背景减观测）与周围原有观测新息向量保持基本一致,分析残差偏差和均方根误差减小,降水预报效果明显改善。新2 m相对湿度同化方案通过提高观测站低于模式地形高度的观测资料合理应用,从而改善了3 km模式系统同化分析和预报效果。      

WRF模式物理参数化方案对一次局地大暴雨预报的影响研究

基于WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting)模式及其3Dvar(3-Dimentional Variational)资料同化系统,采用36、12、4 km嵌套网格进行快速更新循环同化和不同的微物理及积云对流参数化方案对比试验,对2011年5月8日鲁中一次局地大暴雨过程进行了研究。结果表明,快速更新循环同化地面观测资料是影响模式降水落区预报准确性的关键因素,不同的微物理和积云对流参数化方案主要影响降水强度预报。采用不同的微物理参数化方案和积云对流参数化方案进行降水预报对比试验表明,LIN方案和WSM6(WRF Single-Moment 6-class)微物理参数化方案对降水预报均较好,LIN方案降水预报较WSM6方案略强。4 km网格预报使用K-F (Kain-Fritsch)积云对流参数化方案或不使用积云对流参数化方案,预报的降水均较好。4 km网格使用旧的K-F积云对流参数化方案,预报的近地层大气风场偏弱,导致大气动力抬升作用偏弱,从而造成模式降水预报偏弱。