Use of incremental analysis updates in 4D-Var data assimilation

The four-dimensional variational(4D-Var) data assimilation systems used in most operational and research centers use initial condition increments as control variables and adjust initial increments to find optimal analysis solutions. This approach may sometimes create discontinuities in analysis fields and produce undesirable spin ups and spin downs. This study explores using incremental analysis updates(IAU) in 4D-Var to reduce the analysis discontinuities. IAU-based 4D-Var has almost the same mathematical formula as conventional 4D-Var if the initial condition increments are replaced with time-integrated increments as control variables.The IAU technique was implemented in the NASA/GSFC 4D-Var prototype and compared against a control run without IAU. The results showed that the initial precipitation spikes were removed and that other discontinuities were also reduced,especially for the analysis of surface temperature.     

雷达反射率资料的三维变分同化研究

应用天气研究和预报模式(WRF)三维变分系统中一种新的雷达反射率资料间接同化方法来进行反射率资料的三维变分同化研究,评估雷达反射率资料对夏季短时定量降水预报的作用.该方法不直接同化雷达反射率资料,而是同化由反射率资料反演出的雨水和估计的水汽.以2009年夏季北京地区发生的4次强降水过程为例,考察了北京市气象局业务运行的快速更新循环同化预报系统对京津冀地区雷达网的雷达反射率资料的同化性能以及雷达反射率资料和径向风资料同时同化的效果.数值试验结果表明:(1)同化反演雨水或水汽都能改善降水预报,但同化反演水汽对降水预报效果的改善起了更重要的作用;(2)同化反射率资料能极大地提高短时降水预报的效果,其稳定的正面效果可以延伸到6h的预报时效,而同化径向风资料不能得到稳定的正效果;(3)同化雷达资料时,应用快速更新循环同化预报系统是提高短时定量降水预报的一个有效途径.     

IMPACT OF DIABATIC PROCESSES IN AGCM ON 4-DIMENSIONAL VARIATIONAL DATA ASSIMILATION*

The impact of diabatic processes on 4-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-Var) was studied using the 1995 version of NCEP's global spectral model with and without full physics.The adjoint was coded manually.A cost function measuring spectral errors of 6-hour forecasts to "observation" (the NCEP reanalysis data) was minimized using the L-BFGS (the limited memory quasi-Newton algorithm developed by Broyden,Fletcher,Goldfard and Shanno) for optimizing parameters and initial conditions.Minimization of the cost function constrained by an adiabatic version of the NCEP global model converged to a minimum with a significant amount of decrease in the value of the cost function.Minimization of the cost function using the diabatic model, however,failed after a few iterations due to discontinuities introduced by physical parameterizations.Examination of the convergence of the cost function in different spectral domains reveals that the large-scale flow is adjusted during the first 10 iterations,in which discontinuous diabatic parameterizations play very little role.The adjustment produced by the minimization gradually moves to relatively smaller scales between 10-20th iterations.During this transition period,discontinuities in the cost function produced by "on-off" switches in the physical parameterizations caused the cost function to stay in a shallow local minimum instead of continuously decreasing toward a deeper minimum. Next,a mixed 4D-Var scheme is tested in which large-scale flows are first adiabatically adjusted to a sufficient level,followed by a diabatic adjustment introduced after 10 to 20 iterations. The mixed 4D-Var produced a closer fit of analysis to observations,with 38% and 41% more decrease in the values of the cost function and the norm of gradient,respectively,than the standard diabatic 4D-Var,while the CPU time is reduced by 21%.The resulting optimal initial conditions improve the short-range forecast skills of 48-hour statistics.The detrimental effect of parameterization discontinuities on minimization was also reduced.     

Operational convective-scale data assimilation over Iran: A comparison between WRF and HARMONIE-AROME

The impact of applying three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3D-Var DA) on convective-scale forecasts is investigated by using two mesoscale models, the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF-ARW) and the Hirlam and Aladin Research Model On Non-hydrostatic-forecast Inside Europe (HARMONIE-AROME). One month (1 to 30 December 2013) of numerical experiments were conducted with these two models at 2.5 km horizontal resolution, in order to partly resolve convective phenomena, on the same domain over a mountainous area in Iran and neighboring areas. Furthermore, in order to estimate the domain specific background error statistics (BES) in convective scales, two months (1 November to 30 December 2017) of numerical experiments were carried out with both models by downscaling operational ECMWF forecasts. For setting the numerical experiments in an operational scenario, ECMWF operational forecast data were used as initial and lateral boundary conditions (ICs/LBCs). In order to examine the impact of data assimilation, the 3D-Var method in cycling mode was adopted and the forecasts were verified every 6 hours up to 36 hours for selected meteorological variables. In addition, 24 h accumulated precipitation forecasts were verified separately. Generally, the WRF and HARMONIE-AROME exhibit similar verification statistics for the selected forecast variables. The impact of DA on the numerical forecast shows some evidence of improvement in both models, and this effect decreases severely at longer lead times. Results from verifying the 24 h convective-scale precipitation forecasts from both models with and without DA suggest the superiority of the WRF model in forecasting more accurately the occurred precipitation over the simulation domain, even for the downscaling run.     

Testing a four-dimensional variational data assimilation method using an improved intermediate coupled model for ENSO analysis and prediction

A four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation method is implemented in an improved intermediate coupled model (ICM) of the tropical Pacific. A twin experiment is designed to evaluate the impact of the 4D-Var data assimilation algorithm on ENSO analysis and prediction based on the ICM. The model error is assumed to arise only from the parameter uncertainty. The “observation” of the SST anomaly, which is sampled from a “truth” model simulation that takes default parameter values and has Gaussian noise added, is directly assimilated into the assimilation model with its parameters set erroneously. Results show that 4D-Var effectively reduces the error of ENSO analysis and therefore improves the prediction skill of ENSO events compared with the non-assimilation case. These results provide a promising way for the ICM to achieve better real-time ENSO prediction.     

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。     

Assimilation of NCEP multi-sensor hourly rainfall data using 4D-Var approach: A case study of the squall line on April 5, 1999

Summary ?NCEP multi-sensor hourly rainfall data were used for data assimilation and evaluation of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) through a case study of a squall line on April 5, 1999. Improvements in QPFs were obtained through direct assimilation of these rainfall observations using 4-dimensional variational assimilation (4D-Var). Inclusion of the observed no-rain information was shown to be beneficial to QPFs. While the penalty constraint applying a digital filter was effective in removing high frequency oscillations introduced by rainfall assimilation and produced a smoother “optimal” initial condition, its impact on QPFs is mixed. Sensitivity studies indicated that the adjustments in the moisture and temperature fields resulted from precipitation assimilation played a more important role than those of other state variables for improving QPFs. Received October 27, 2001; accepted January 30, 2002     

Intercomparison of the performance of MM5/WRF with and without satellite data assimilation in short-range forecast applications over the Indian region

The present study is conducted to verify the short-range forecasts from mesoscale model version5 (MM5)/weather research and forecasting (WRF) model over the Indian region and to examine the impact of assimilation of quick scatterometer (QSCAT) near surface winds, spectral sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) wind speed and total precipitable water (TPW) on the forecasts by these models using their three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) data assimilation scheme for a 1-month period during July 2006. The control (without satellite data assimilation) as well as 3D-Var sensitivity experiments (with assimilating satellite data) using MM5/WRF were made for 48 h starting daily at 0000 UTC July 2006. The control run is analyzed for the intercomparison of MM5/WRF short-range forecasts and is also used as a baseline for assessing the MM5/WRF 3D-Var satellite data sensitivity experiments. As compared to the observation, the MM5 (WRF) control simulations strengthened (weakened) the cross equatorial flow over southern Arabian sea near peninsular India. The forecasts from MM5 and WRF showed a warm and moist bias at lower and upper levels with a cold bias at the middle level, which shows that the convective schemes of these models may be too active during the simulation. The forecast errors in predicted wind, temperature and humidity at different levels are lesser in WRF as compared to MM5, except the temperature prediction at lower level. The rainfall pattern and prediction skill from day 1 and day 2 forecasts by WRF is superior to MM5. The spatial distribution of forecast impact for wind, temperature, and humidity from 1-month assimilation experiments during July 2006 demonstrated that on average, for 24 and 48-h forecasts, the satellite data improved the MM5/WRF initial condition, so that model errors in predicted meteorological fields got reduced. Among the experiments, MM5/WRF wind speed prediction is most benefited from QSCAT surface wind and SSM/I TPW assimilation while temperature and humidity prediction is mostly improved due to latter. The largest improvement in MM5/WRF rainfall prediction is due to the assimilation of SSM/I TPW. The assimilation of SSM/I wind speed alone in MM5/WRF degraded the humidity and rainfall prediction. In summary the assimilation of satellite data showed similar impact on MM5/WRF prediction; largest improvement due to SSM/I TPW and degradation due to SSM/I wind speed.     

面向四维变分资料同化的NSAS积云深对流参数化方案的简化及线性化研究

GRAPES全球四维变分资料同化系统需要积云深对流参数化方案的线性化与伴随方案,直接采用原始复杂参数化方案进行线性化并不可行,需要发展简化光滑方案来减缓非线性与非连续性特征。GRAPES全球模式采用NSAS积云对流参数化方案,积云深对流对环境的反馈主要通过补偿下沉来实现,研究突出补偿下沉作用,忽略降水蒸发、动量反馈等贡献,形成简化方案。采用输入温、湿度廓线加入不同幅度小扰动方法,评估参数化方案计算的温度、比湿时间倾向对输入扰动的敏感性,检验非线性与非连续特征。提出避免或减缓非连续“开关”的方法,在简化方案的基础上发展了简化光滑方案。简化光滑方案与原始积云深对流方案相比,在对流触发上一致,在对流的位温与比湿倾向、降水的时序模拟等方面相似,而在减缓非线性、避免非连续性方面显著优于原始方案。基于简化光滑方案发展的线性化方案表明,对小于2倍分析增量幅度的扰动,线性化方案可以较好地模拟非线性方案的扰动发展。发展的简化光滑方案具有合理性和实用性。      

The Regularized WSM6 Microphysical Scheme and Its Validation in WRF 4D-Var

A cold cloud assimilation scheme was developed that fully considers the water substances, i.e., water vapor, cloud water, rain, ice, snow, and graupel, based on the single-moment WSM6 microphysical scheme and four-dimensional variational(4D-Var) data assimilation in the Weather Research and Forecasting data assimilation(WRFDA) system. The verification of the regularized WSM6 and its tangent linearity model(TLM) and adjoint mode model(ADM) was proven successful. Two groups of single observation a...     

The impact of radar data assimilation on atmosphere state analysis in the Moscow region

The results of numerical experiments with the data assimilation system including the WRF-ARW mesoscale atmospheric model and WRFDA analysis package in the 3D-Var mode are considered. The focus is on the impact of Doppler weather radar data on the quality of short-range weather forecasting. The maps of weather events and cloud top constructed from the modeling by GIMET-2010 software package are analyzed using the web-GIS METEORAD. The experiments in the Moscow region demonstrated that if only radial wind is assimilated, the intensity of simulated cloud and precipitation formation is the closest to the observed one; however, the spatial mismatches of simulated and observed cloud systems are possible. If Doppler radar data on radial wind and reflectivity are assimilated, the general pattern and location of clouds and precipitation are simulated more accurately, but there is a certain overestimation of convection intensity which leads to the overestimation of the number of thunderstorms and rainfall rate.     

Atmosphere data assimilation system for the Siberian region with the WRF-ARW model and three-dimensional variational analysis WRF 3D-Var

The system of the cyclic assimilation of data on atmospheric conditions used in the West Siberian Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring is described. It is based on the WRF-ARW mesoscale atmospheric model and on the WRF 3D-Var system of the three-dimensional variational analysis of data. The system is verified when the first approximation data (6-hour forecast) and WRF-ARW forecasts with the lead time up to 24 hours are compared with the observational data. The problems of assimilation of observations from the AMSU-A and AIRS satellite instruments are considered. The effect of using AMSU-A and AIRS for the analysis in the Novosibirsk region is estimated. The experiments demonstrated that the cyclic data assimilation system operates successfully. The AMSU-A observations improve the quality of analyses and forecasts in winter. In summer the impact of satellite observations on the forecast skill scores is ambiguous. Good short-term forecasts are provided by the initial conditions obtained using the system of detailing of the NCEP large-scale analysis.     

三维变分和物理初始化方法相结合同化多普勒雷达资料的试验研究

以美国新近研发的天气研究预报模式(WRF)配置的三维变分(3D-Var)同化系统WRF 3D-Var为平台,结合物理初始化方法(Physical Initialization,简称PI)来同化多普勒雷达径向风和回波强度观测资料.其基本做法是首先用物理初始化方法由雷达回波资料估计出比湿、云水混合比和垂直速度,然后用估计的比湿和云水混合比对模式的相应变量进行调整,最后再将估计出的垂直速度作为一种新的观测类型添加到现有的WRF 3D-Var目标函数中,同时以WRF 3D-Var提供的方法直接同化径向风.针对2002年6月19日的一次强对流性降水过程和2003年7月5日的一次梅雨锋暴雨过程进行了一组同化多普勒雷达径向风和回波资料的试验研究.同化结果表明:分析变量的增量场和观测的雷达回波有很好的对应关系.在雷达回波区,有正的比湿增量、云水含量增量和垂直速度增量,并且水平风增量在此辐合;在没有雷达回波的地方有负的垂直速度增量.预报结果表明,调整云水含量对降水预报改善不明显,调整比湿对降水预报改进明显,直接用物理初始化估计出的垂直速度替代模式的初始垂直速度,对降水预报改进不明显,但以新的方案同化雷达资料能有效地缩短模式的起转时间(spin-up time),明显改进短时降水预报.     

华北地区一次大雾过程的三维变分同化试验

文中采用WRF非静力数值预报模式及其三维变分同化系统(WRF3D-Var),对2006年1月13—14日发生在华北地区及山东半岛的一次大雾过程进行了包括GTS(Global Telecommunication System)资料、AMDAR(Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay)资料和9210资料的不同资料组合的三维变分同化试验,以及时间间隔分别为6、3和1h不同时间频率的循环同化试验,并以同化分析场为初始场进行了36h的模拟试验。对同化分析场和模拟结果进行了分析,分析结果表明,采用三维变分方法同化AMDAR等多种非常规观测资料后,分析场均有明显的改变,对雾区的模拟结果也有局部不同程度的修正。进一步分析起修正作用的原因得知同化资料后对低层的湿度和层结趋稳性有所改善。同化GTS资料对低层的增湿贡献明显,但对层结趋稳性贡献不大;而同化AMDAR资料主要使层结趋稳性明显,对增湿无贡献;9210资料对低层湿度和层结趋稳性均有贡献。不同时间间隔的循环同化试验表明,多时次的循环同化比单时次的同化分析增量要大,逐时循环同化与6和3h循环同化相比,可明显改善模拟效果。     

Impact of single-point GPS integrated water vapor estimates on short-range WRF model forecasts over southern India

Specifying physically consistent and accurate initial conditions is one of the major challenges of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. In this study, ground-based global positioning system (GPS) integrated water vapor (IWV) measurements available from the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Service (IGS) station in Bangalore, India, are used to assess the impact of GPS data on NWP model forecasts over southern India. Two experiments are performed with and without assimilation of GPS-retrieved IWV observations during the Indian winter monsoon period (November–December, 2012) using a four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation method. Assimilation of GPS data improved the model IWV analysis as well as the subsequent forecasts. There is a positive impact of ～10 % over Bangalore and nearby regions. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model-predicted 24-h surface temperature forecasts have also improved when compared with observations. Small but significant improvements were found in the rainfall forecasts compared to control experiments.     

中尺度WRF数值模式系统本地化业务试验

利用中尺度WRF数值模式及WRF三维变分同化系统,在对比试验的基础上,选取了适合本地的积云过程、微物理过程和辐射过程的方案组合;选择了NCEP/GFS作为模式的背景场;统计计算了以云南为中心的区域背景误差协方差并替换了三维变分同化系统中原有的背景误差协方差;同时,考虑模式底层高度与地面观测站高度的差异,进行了地面资料地形订正.通过上述试验研究,建立了本地化的中尺度WRF数值预报业务系统,该系统能较好地刻画本地下垫面的动力和热力状况,预报能力有明显改善.     

Multi-species chemical data assimilation with the Danish Eulerian hemispheric model: system description and verification

Satellite retrievals of atmospheric composition provide a wealth of data on a global scale. These complement results from atmospheric chemistry-transport models (CTMs), and can be combined using data assimilation. We present two assimilation schemes coupled to the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model (DEHM), a three-dimensional, off-line CTM with full photochemistry: a variant on the ensemble Kalman filter and the three-dimensional variational scheme. The aim of this paper is to describe the two schemes and present an initial assessment of their impacts on model skill. Retrievals of multiple atmospheric trace gases are assimilated, namely: NO₂ tropospheric column densities, CH₄ total column densities, and partial column concentrations of O₃, CO and CH₄; these data are retrieved from four satellite sensors. Data for each species are assimilated independently of one another, and other species are only adjusted indirectly via the model’s chemistry and dynamics. Assimilation results are compared with measurements from surface monitoring stations and other satellite retrievals, and preliminary validation results are presented.Reference simulations (without assimilation) grossly underestimate surface CO concentrations, and both assimilation schemes eliminate this large and systematic model bias. The assimilation improves the spatial correlation of modelled CO with surface observations, and improves the spatial correlation between forecasts and retrievals for CO, NO₂ and O₃. Results for CH₄ show a loss of skill due to a mismatch in model bias between two assimilated CH₄ data-sets. Finally, we discuss differences in methodology and results between this paper and a recent study on multi-species chemical data assimilation. Joint optimisation of initial conditions and emission rates offers a promising direction for improving modelled boundary-layer concentrations.     

Numerical experiments for Typhoon Dan incorporating AMSU-A retrieved data with 3DVM

Two sets of assimilation experiments on a landfalling typhoon—Typhoon Dan(1999)over the western North Pacific were designed to compare the performances of two kinds of variational data assimilation schemes that are the 3-Dimensional Variational data assimilation of Mapped observation(3DVM)and the 4-dimensional variational data assimilation(4DVar).Results show that:(1)both the 3DVM and 4DVar successfully improved the simulations of typhoon intensity and track incorporating the satellite AMSU-A retrieved temperature and wind data into the initial conditions,and the 3DVM more significantly due to the flow-dependent of background error covariance matrix and observation error covariance matrix like 3-dimensional variational data assimilation(3DVar)circle;(2)inclusions of extra model integration iterations at each observation time in the 3DVM make it more consistent with prediction model;(3)the 3DVM is much more time-saving due to the exclusion of the adjoint technique in it.     

Experiments on the radar reflectivity data assimilation in the WRF-ARW model

Given are the results of numerical experiments on the radar reflectivity data assimilation in the nonhydrostatic WRF-ARW model. For this purpose, the procedure of three-dimensional variational data assimilation was used included as a separate block (WRF-3DVAR) in the WRF-ARW system. The experiments on the cyclic assimilation of radar information were carried out for ten days of summer of 2009. The data of six AKSOPRI complexes forming the Moscow ring of radar measurements were assimilated. The contribution of the radar reflectivity data assimilation to the quality of short-range precipitation forecasts was verified on the basis of the momentary and accumulated radar precipitation and total precipitation at the stations. It is obtained that the contribution of the radar reflectivity assimilation using the WRF-ARW algorithm to the precipitation forecast is close to neutral: the number of accurate forecasts increases by about 10%; however, the number of false alarms increases as well.