Downscaling of the global seasonal forecasts of hydrometcenter of Russia for North Eurasia

Proposed is a method of downscaling of the global ensemble seasonal forecasts of air temperature computed using the SLAV model of the Hydrometcenter of Russia. The method is based on the regression and suggests a probabilistic interpretation of forecasts based on the assessment of uncertainty associated with the regression and model forecast ensemble spread. The verification of the method for 70 weather stations of North Eurasia using the rank probability skill score RPSS showed a significant advantage of downscaled forecasts over the forecasts interpolated from the model grid points. It is concluded that the use of the downscaling method is reasonable for the long-range forecasting of the station air temperature for North Eurasia.     

基于卡尔曼滤波的中国区域气温和降水的多模式集成预报

利用TIGGE资料集下欧洲中期天气预报中心(ECMWF)、日本气象厅(JMA)、美国国家环境预报中心(NCEP)、中国气象局(CMA)和英国气象局(UKMO)5个模式预报的结果,对基于卡尔曼滤波的气温和降水的多模式集成预报进行研究。结果表明,卡尔曼滤波方法的预报效果优于消除偏差集合平均(BREM)和单模式的预报,但是对于地面气温和降水,其预报效果也存在一定的差异。在中国区域2 m气温的预报中,卡尔曼滤波的预报结果最优。而对于24 h累积降水预报,尽管卡尔曼滤波在所有量级下的TS评分均优于BREM,但随着预报时效增加,其在大雨及以上量级的TS评分跟最佳单模式UKMO预报相当,改进效果不明显。卡尔曼滤波在地面气温和24 h累积降水每个预报时效下的均方根误差均最优,预报效果更佳且稳定。     

Multimodel approach to seasonal prediction

Multimodel forecast fields of temperature at 850 hPa and seasonal precipitation are combined using a procedure of two-step averaging. It is shown that the resulting forecasts averaged over the multimodel ensemble outperform the forecasts of individual models. The verification of forecast production has been carried out on cross-validated hindcasts according to WMO requirements. The simulation of spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric variables is assessed. The results indicate that the combined models are rather skillful in the tropical oceans, while the accuracy in the extratropics is poor.     

基于TIGGE资料的地面气温和降水的多模式集成预报

利用TIGGE资料集下中国气象局(CMA)、欧洲中期天气预报中心(ECMWF)、日本气象厅(JMA)、美国国家环境预报中心(NCEP)和英国气象局(UKMO)5个中心集合预报结果,对多模式集成预报方法进行讨论。结果表明,多模式集成方法的预报效果优于单个中心的预报,但对于不同预报要素多模式集成方法的适用性存在差异。滑动训练期超级集合(R-SUP)对北半球地面气温的改进效果最优,但此方法对降水场的改进效果并不理想。在北半球中低纬24 h累积降水的回报试验中,消除偏差(BREM)的结果优于单个中心的预报,且此方法预报结果稳定。进一步利用滑动训练期消除偏差(R-BREM)集合平均对2008年1月中国南方极端雨雪冰冻过程进行多模式集成预报试验,结果表明,在固定误差范围内,R-BREM将中国南方大部分地区的地面气温预报时效由最优数值预报中心的96 h延长至192 h,且除个别时效外,小雨、中雨的TS评分得到明显提高。     

Calibration and combination of dynamical seasonal forecasts to enhance the value of predicted probabilities for managing risk

Seasonal probability forecasts produced with numerical dynamics on supercomputers offer great potential value in managing risk and opportunity created by seasonal variability. The skill and reliability of contemporary forecast systems can be increased by calibration methods that use the historical performance of the forecast system to improve the ongoing real-time forecasts. Two calibration methods are applied to seasonal surface temperature forecasts of the US National Weather Service, the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, and to a World Climate Service multi-model ensemble created by combining those two forecasts with Bayesian methods. As expected, the multi-model is somewhat more skillful and more reliable than the original models taken alone. The potential value of the multimodel in decision making is illustrated with the profits achieved in simulated trading of a weather derivative. In addition to examining the seasonal models, the article demonstrates that calibrated probability forecasts of weekly average temperatures for leads of 2–4 weeks are also skillful and reliable. The conversion of ensemble forecasts into probability distributions of impact variables is illustrated with degree days derived from the temperature forecasts. Some issues related to loss of stationarity owing to long-term warming are considered. The main conclusion of the article is that properly calibrated probabilistic forecasts possess sufficient skill and reliability to contribute to effective decisions in government and business activities that are sensitive to intraseasonal and seasonal climate variability.     

An analysis of the difference between the multiple linear regression approach and the multimodel ensemble mean

An investigation of the difference in seasonal precipitation forecast skills between the multiple linear regression (MLR) ensemble and the simple multimodel ensemble mean (EM) was based on the forecast quality of individual models. The possible causes of difference in previous studies were analyzed. In order to make the simulation capability of studied regions relatively uniform, three regions with different temporal correlation coefficients were chosen for this study. Results show the causes resulting in the incapability of the MLR approach vary among different regions. In the Nino3.4 region, strong co-linearity within individual models is generally the main reason. However, in the high latitude region, no significant co-linearity can be found in individual models, but the abilities of single models are so poor that it makes the MLR approach inappropriate for superensemble forecasts in this region. In addition, it is important to note that the use of various score measurements could result in some discrepancies when we compare the results derived from different multimodel ensemble approaches.     

北半球中纬度地区地面气温的超级集合预报

基于TIGGE资料中的ECMWF、JMA、NCEP和UKMO四个中心2007年6月1日-8月31日北半球中纬度地区地面气温24～168 h集合预报资料,分别利用固定训练期超级集合(SUP, Superensemble)和滑动训练期超级集合(R-SUP, Running Training Period Superensemble )对2007年8月8-31日预报期24 d进行超级集合预报试验.采用均方根误差对预报结果进行检验评估,比较了两种超级集合方法与最好的单个中心模式预报、多模式集合平均的预报效果.结果表明,SUP预报有效降低了预报误差,24～144 h的预报效果优于多模式集合平均(EMN, Ensemble Mean)和最好的单个中心预报,168 h的预报效果略差于EMN.R-SUP预报进一步改善了预报效果.对于24～168 h的预报,R-SUP预报效果都要优于EMN.尤其对于168 h的预报,R-SUP改进了预报效果,优于EMN.     

MULTIMODEL CONSENSUS FORECASTING OF LOW TEMPERATURE AND ICY WEATHER OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CHINA IN EARLY 2008

Based on the daily mean temperature and 24-h accumulated total precipitation over central and southern China, the features and the possible causes of the extreme weather events with low temperature and icing conditions,which occurred in the southern part of China during early 2008, are investigated in this study. In addition, multimodel consensus forecasting experiments are conducted by using the ensemble forecasts of ECMWF, JMA, NCEP and CMA taken from the TIGGE archives. Results show that more than a third of the stations in the southern part of China were covered by the extremely abundant precipitation with a 50-a return period, and extremely low temperature with a 50-a return period occurred in the Guizhou and western Hunan province as well. For the 24- to 216-h surface temperature forecasts, the bias-removed multimodel ensemble mean with running training period(R-BREM) has the highest forecast skill of all individual models and multimodel consensus techniques. Taking the RMSEs of the ECMWF 96-h forecasts as the criterion, the forecast time of the surface temperature may be prolonged to 192 h over the southeastern coast of China by using the R-BREM technique. For the sprinkle forecasts over central and southern China, the R-BREM technique has the best performance in terms of threat scores(TS) for the 24- to 192-h forecasts except for the 72-h forecasts among all individual models and multimodel consensus techniques. For the moderate rain, the forecast skill of the R-BREM technique is superior to those of individual models and multimodel ensemble mean.     

Seasonal climate prediction for South America with FSU Multi-model Synthetic Superensemble algorithm

Summary Objective combination schemes of predictions from different models have been applied to seasonal climate forecasts. These schemes are successful in producing a deterministic forecast superior to individual member models and better than the multi-model ensemble mean forecast. Recently, a variant of the conventional superensemble formulation was created to improve skills for seasonal climate forecasts, the Florida State University (FSU) Synthetic Superensemble. The idea of the synthetic algorithm is to generate a new data set from the predicted multimodel datasets for multiple linear regression. The synthetic data is created from the original dataset by finding a consistent spatial pattern between the observed analysis and the forecast data set. This procedure is a multiple linear regression problem in EOF space. The main contribution this paper is to discuss the feasibility of seasonal prediction based on the synthetic superensemble approach and to demonstrate that the use of this method in coupled models dataset can reduce the errors of seasonal climate forecasts over South America. In this study, a suite of FSU coupled atmospheric oceanic models was used. In evaluation the results from the FSU synthetic superensemble demonstrate greater skill for most of the variables tested here. The forecast produced by the proposed method out performs other conventional forecasts. These results suggest that the methodology and database employed are able to improve seasonal climate prediction over South America when compared to the use of single climate models or from the conventional ensemble averaging. The results show that anomalous conditions simulated over South America are reasonably realistic. The negative (positive) precipitation anomalies for the summer monsoon season of 1997/98 (2001/02) were predicted by Synthetic Superensemble formulation quite well. In summary, the forecast produced by the Synthetic Superensemble approach outperforms the other conventional forecasts.     

地面气象要素多模式集成预报研究进展

目前,集合预报已成为天气预报业务的主要支撑。然而,由于数值模式本身的限制与不完善以及集合系统存在初值扰动、集合大小等方面的局限,常存在预报偏差。不同预报模式通常具有不同的物理过程参数化方案、初始条件等,导致其预报能力各有不同。为此,如何纠正预报偏差以及如何充分有效地利用不同模式的预报信息以获得更加准确的天气预报广受关注。近年来,利用统计理论与预报诊断,基于多个集合预报系统的多模式集成预报技术得到快速发展,已成为有效消除预报偏差从而提高天气预报技巧的一种统计后处理方法。针对气温、降水和风3个最基本的地面气象要素,首先依据预报形式将应用范围较广的简单集合平均、消除偏差集合平均、超级集合、贝叶斯模式平均、集合模式输出统计等加权或等权平均多模式集成技术,分成确定性预报和概率预报两大类,并做系统介绍。最后,讨论使用和发展多模式集成技术需要关注的问题,包括考虑参与集成的模式个数、发展降水及风速分级预报模型和发展基于机器学习的多模式集成新技术。     

Improving Multi-Model Ensemble Forecasts of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Using Bayesian Model Averaging

This paper proposes a method for multi-model ensemble forecasting based on Bayesian model averaging (BMA), aiming to improve the accuracy of tropical cyclone (TC) intensity forecasts, especially forecasts of minimum surface pressure at the cyclone center (P_min). The multi-model ensemble comprises three operational forecast models: the Global Forecast System (GFS) of NCEP, the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) models of NCEP, and the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of ECMWF. The mean of a predictive distribution is taken as the BMA forecast. In this investigation, bias correction of the minimum surface pressure was applied at each forecast lead time, and the distribution (or probability density function, PDF) of P_min was used and transformed. Based on summer season forecasts for three years, we found that the intensity errors in TC forecast from the three models varied significantly. The HWRF had a much smaller intensity error for short lead-time forecasts. To demonstrate the proposed methodology, cross validation was implemented to ensure more efficient use of the sample data and more reliable testing. Comparative analysis shows that BMA for this three-model ensemble, after bias correction and distribution transformation, provided more accurate forecasts than did the best of the ensemble members (HWRF), with a 5%–7% decrease in root-mean-square error on average. BMA also outperformed the multi-model ensemble, and it produced “predictive variance” that represented the forecast uncertainty of the member models. In a word, the BMA method used in the multi-model ensemble forecasting was successful in TC intensity forecasts, and it has the potential to be applied to routine operational forecasting.     

NCEP集合预报系统在亚欧和北美区域的预报效果对比

使用NCEP集合预报系统（EPS）输出的500hPa位势高度场预报资料和相应的NCEP／NCAR再分析资料,针对集合平均预报和概率预报,采用多种预报效果检验评价方法,对该系统在亚欧和北美区域的预报效果进行全面的分析比较。总体而言,NCEP—EPS对亚欧区域的环流集合预报效果不亚于其对北关区域的预报效果。1）ACC检验表明,亚欧区域的集合平均预报效果在除冬季外的三个季节都明显优于北美区域,可用预报的时效相差达0．6～1d,且夏季的差别最大。RMSE检验表明,亚欧区域的预报效果在四个季节里均优于北美区域。2）集合概率预报可靠性的季节差别不明显,均为预报时效较短（长）时,北关（亚欧）区域的可靠性更好。系统对亚欧区域的事件识别范围相对较小,但其预报可靠性较高,北美区域则正好相反。3）夏季亚欧区域的集合概率预报效果明显优于北美区域,秋季和冬季北关区域的预报效果较好,春季在预报时效小于5d时北美区域占优,而其后则是亚欧区域的预报分辨能力更好。     

基于TIGGE多模式降水量预报的统计降尺度研究

利用TIGGE资料中欧洲中期天气预报中心、美国国家环境预报中心、英国气象局以及日本气象厅4个中心,1~7 d预报时效的降水量预报资料,以TRMM/3B42RT降水量作为"观测值",对东亚地区降水量进行统计降尺度处理。首先利用逻辑回归方法将天气分为有雨和无雨,再对有雨的情况,利用线性回归方法对插值后的预报结果进行降尺度订正,最后将4个中心的预报值进行消除偏差集合平均,得到多模式集成的降水量预报场。结果表明:逻辑回归能够有效地改善预报中小雨的空报情况,统计降尺度订正后的预报结果比直接插值更加准确,多模式集成的预报效果优于单模式结果,其改进效果随预报时效的延长逐渐减小。     

基于TIGGE资料的地面气温多模式超级集合预报

基于TIGGE资料, 采用均方根误差分别对欧洲中期天气预报中心、日本气象厅、美国国家环境预报中心和英国气象局4个中心集合预报的地面气温场集合平均结果进行检验评估, 比较各中心地面气温的预报效果。并利用超级集合、多模式集合平均和消除偏差集合平均3种方法对4个中心的地面气温预报进行集成, 同时对预报结果进行分析。结果表明: 2007年夏季日本气象厅与欧洲中期天气预报中心在北半球大部分地区预报效果最好, 各中心在不同地区预报效果不同。超级集合与消除偏差集合平均降低了预报误差, 预报效果优于最好的单个中心预报和多模式集合平均。对于较长的预报时效, 消除偏差集合平均表现出了更好的预报性能。     

上海区域数值预报模式集合预报系统的建立与试验

以目前运行的上海区域业务数值预报模式为基础,从预报模式的不确定性出发构造8个预报成员,建立了上海区域数值预报模式集合预报系统的初步模型,并对2004年夏季进行了逐日48 h预报试验。结果表明:集合平均对华东地区城市降水、温度、海平面气压等气象要素的总体预报能力与分辨率高3倍的业务模式相当,其中对雨量较大降水、最低温度、海平面气压(0~24 h)的预报效果好于业务模式;集合预报还能提供客观化、定量化的降水概率预报,对降水的发生、尤其是特大降水的发生有着很好的提示作用。     

A convection-allowing ensemble forecast based on the breeding growth mode and associated optimization of precipitation forecast

A convection-allowing ensemble forecast experiment on a squall line was conducted based on the breeding growth mode (BGM). Meanwhile, the probability matched mean (PMM) and neighborhood ensemble probability (NEP) methods were used to optimize the associated precipitation forecast. The ensemble forecast predicted the precipitation tendency accurately, which was closer to the observation than in the control forecast. For heavy rainfall, the precipitation center produced by the ensemble forecast was also better. The Fractions Skill Score (FSS) results indicated that the ensemble mean was skillful in light rainfall, while the PMM produced better probability distribution of precipitation for heavy rainfall. Preliminary results demonstrated that convection-allowing ensemble forecast could improve precipitation forecast skill through providing valuable probability forecasts. It is necessary to employ new methods, such as the PMM and NEP, to generate precipitation probability forecasts. Nonetheless, the lack of spread and the overprediction of precipitation by the ensemble members are still problems that need to be solved.     

Application of multimodel ensemble techniques for real time district level rainfall forecasts in short range time scale over Indian region

During the summer monsoon (1 June to 30 September) 2007, real-time district level rainfall forecasts in short-range time scale were generated for Indian region applying multimodel ensemble technique. The pre-assigned grid point weights on the basis of correlation coefficients (CC) between the observed values and forecast values are determined for each constituent model at the resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° utilizing two seasons datasets (1 June to 30 September, 2005 and 2006), and the multimodel ensemble forecasts (day 1 and day 2 forecasts) are generated at the same resolution on a real-time basis. The ensemble forecast fields are then used to prepare forecasts for each district taking the average value of all grid points falling in a particular district. In this paper we examined the performance skill of the multimodel ensemble-based real-time district level short-range forecast of rainfall. It has clearly emerged from the results that the multimodel ensemble technique reported in this study is superior to each ensemble member. District wise performance of the ensemble rainfall forecast reveals that the technique, in general, is capable of providing reasonably good forecast skill over most districts of the country, particularly over the districts where the monsoon systems are dominant. Though the procedure shows appreciable skill to predict occurrence or non-occurrence of rainfall at the district level, it always underestimates rainfall amount, particularly in heavy rainfall events. Possible reasons of this failure may be due to model bias and poor data assimilation procedure.     

ENSO预测的目标观测敏感区在热带太平洋海温的多模式集合预报中的应用

本文将ENSO预测的目标观测敏感区与多模式集合预报方法相结合, 提出了一种能够有效提高预报技巧且又具有较小计算成本的多模式集合预报方法。该方法在目标观测敏感区内采用模式不等权的多模式超级集合预报方法(SUP), 而在其他区域采用相对简单的等权的多模式消除偏差集合平均方法(BREM)。利用CMIP5中15个气候系统模式的工业革命前参照试验(pi-Control)数据, 针对热带太平洋海温的长期演变开展了理想预报试验。将新集合预报方法与现有的多模式集合预报方法进行了比较。结果表明, 在所考察的预报期内(即1～20年), 新集合预报方法与整个热带太平洋区域使用SUP方法具有相当的预报技巧, 但前者的计算成本明显小于后者, 计算时间仅为后者的1/4。可见, 新方法是一个具有较高预报技巧且计算成本较小的多模式集合预报方法。同时, 其较高的预报技巧强调了热带太平洋SST预测对ENSO目标观测敏感区内的模式误差也是极端敏感的, 也正因如此, 多模式集合预报方法才能够有效过滤模式误差的影响, 具有较高的预报技巧。     

基于TIGGE资料的北半球地面气温预报的统计降尺度研究

基于TIGGE(THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble,全球交互式大集合)资料中欧洲中期天气预报中心(European Centre for Medium-Range Weather,ECMWF)、日本气象厅(Japan Meteorological Agency,JMA)、美国国家环境预报中心(National Centers for Environmental Prediction,NCEP)和英国气象局(United Kingdom Met Office,UKMO)4个中心的北半球地面2 m气温集合平均预报资料,利用插值技术与回归分析,并引入了消除偏差集合平均(bias-removed ensemble mean,BREM)和多模式超级集合(superensemble,SUP)方法进行统计降尺度预报研究。结果表明,在2007年夏季3个月中,4个单中心的降尺度预报明显地改善了预报效果。引入SUP和BREM两种集成预报方法后,预报误差得到进一步减小。对比综合表现最好的单中心ECMWF的预报,1~7 d的降尺度预报误差改进率均达20%以上。研究还发现,引入SUP方法的降尺度预报效果优于引入BREM方法的降尺度预报,利用双线性插值方法在上述两方案中的预报效果优于其他3种插值方法。     

中国夏季降水多模式集成概率预报研究

基于TIGGE资料中的中国气象局（CMA）、欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）、日本气象厅（JMA）、美国国家环境预报中心（NCEP）以及英国气象局（UKMO）五个中心2007-2011年5月25日-8月31日中国地区逐日12-36 h、36-60 h、60-84 h、84-108 h、108-132 h与132-156 h累积降水集合预报资料,分别利用PoorMan （POOL）和多模式消除偏差（MBRE）两种方法对2011年各中心降水概率预报进行集成,并采用RPS和BS评分方法对预报效果进行评估。结果表明,对于12-156 h逐24 h累积降水量概率预报,多模式集成预报效果优于单模式预报效果,且多模式消除偏差概率预报效果最好;针对小雨、中雨以及大雨以上降水,PoorMan和MBRE概率预报较单中心预报效果均有提高,MBRE概率预报效果优于PoorMan方法。