An Ensemble-Based Three-Dimensional Variational Assimilation Method for Land Data Assimilation

Land surface models are often highly nonlinear with model physics that contain parameterized discontinuities. These model attributes severely limit the application of advanced variational data assimilation methods into land data assimilation. The ensemble Kalman filter （EnKF） has been widely employed for land data assimilation because of its simple conceptual formulation and relative ease of implementation. An updated ensemble-based three-dimensional variational assimilation （En3-DVar） method is proposed for land data assimilation This new method incorporates Monte Carlo sampling strategies into the 3-D variational data assimilation framework. The proper orthogonal decomposition （POD） technique is used to efficiently approximate a forecast ensemble produced by the Monte Carlo method in a 3-D space that uses a set of base vectors that span the ensemble. The data assimilation process is thus significantly simplified. Our assimilation experiments indicate that this new En3-DVar method considerably outperforms the EnKF method by increasing assimilation precision. Furthermore, computational costs for the new En3-DVar method are much lower than for the EnKF method.     

Time-Expanded Sampling for Ensemble-Based Filters: Assimilation Experiments with Real Radar Observations

By sampling perturbed state vectors from each ensemble prediction run at properly selected time levels in the vicinity of the analysis time, the recently proposed time-expanded sampling approach can enlarge the ensemble size without increasing the number of prediction runs and, hence, can reduce the computational cost of an ensemble-based filter. In this study, this approach is tested for the first time with real radar data from a tornadic thunderstorm. In particular, four assimilation experiments were performed to test the time-expanded sampling method against the conventional ensemble sampling method used by ensemble- based filters. In these experiments, the ensemble square-root filter (EnSRF) was used with 45 ensemble members generated by the time-expanded sampling and conventional sampling from 15 and 45 prediction runs, respectively, and quality-controlled radar data were compressed into super-observations with properly reduced spatial resolutions to improve the EnSRF performances. The results show that the time-expanded sampling approach not only can reduce the computational cost but also can improve the accuracy of the analysis, especially when the ensemble size is severely limited due to computational constraints for real-radar data assimilation. These potential merits are consistent with those previously demonstrated by assimilation experiments with simulated data.     

基于集合卡尔曼滤波的土壤水分同化试验

集合卡尔曼滤波是由大气数据同化发展的新的顺序同化算法,它利用蒙特卡罗方法计算背景场的误差协方差矩阵,克服了卡尔曼滤波需要线性化的模型算子和观测算子的难点。我们发展了一个基于集合卡尔曼滤波和简单生物圈模型(SiB2,Simple Biosphere Model)的单点陆面数据同化方案。利用1998年7月6日至8月9日青藏高原GAME-Tibet实验区MS3608站点的观测数据进行了同化试验。结果表明,利用集合卡尔曼滤波的数据同化方法可以明显地提高表层、根区、深层土壤水分的估算精度。     

Data assimilation technique based on the ensemble π-algorithm

A practical realization of the data assimilation algorithm based on the Kalman filter in its non-simplified form is impossible for modern forecast models because of the high dimension of the associated sets of equations and nonlinearity of predicted processes. The main direction in the Kalman filter realization is an ensemble approach. Under the assumption of ergodicity of random forecast errors, a so-called π-algorithm can be considered, which is alternative to the ensemble Kalman filter and where probabilistic averaging is replaced by averaging over time. In the present paper, we suggest a generalization of the π-algorithm based on the ensemble approach. The algorithm is easy to implement; however, its applicability to the data assimilation problems, convergence, and relation to the Kalman filter are still to be studied. The applicability of the ensemble π-algorithm to the data assimilation problem is considered by an example of a simple one-dimensional advection equation. The use of such a simple equation allows us to compare the classical Kalman filter algorithm with various practical approaches to its realization.     

Development of an Operational Hybrid Data Assimilation System at KIAPS

This study introduces the operational data assimilation (DA) system at the Korea Institute of Atmospheric Prediction Systems (KIAPS) to the numerical weather prediction community. Its development history and performance are addressed with experimental illustrations and the authors’ previously published studies. Milestones in skill improvements include the initial operational implementation of three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVar), the ingestion of additional satellite observations, and changing the DA scheme to a hybrid four-dimensional ensemble-variational DA using forecasts from an ensemble based on the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF). In the hybrid system, determining the relative contribution of the ensemble-based covariance to the resultant analysis is crucial, particularly for moisture variables including a variety of horizontal scale spectra. Modifications to the humidity control variable, partial rather than full recentering of the ensemble for humidity further improves moisture analysis, and the inclusion of more radiance observations with higher-level peaking channels have significant impacts on stratosphere temperature and wind performance. Recent update of the operational hybrid DA system relative to the previous 3DVar system is described for detailed improvements with interpretation.     

双分辨率集合卡尔曼滤波同化方案及模拟试验

高分辨率中尺度模式集合卡尔曼滤波实际应用的困难是集合预报会耗费大量的时间。而双分辨率集合卡尔曼滤波是由一组低分辨率样本提供同化所需的背景误差协方差矩阵,这种方法可以减少集合预报的时间。为了检验其有效性,文中利用模拟资料,与标准高分辨率集合卡尔曼滤波方法比较。结果表明：在第一个同化时次,两者对500 hPa水平风场和扰动位温场的分析增量场均与真实增量场的高低值中心位置一致,且结构与真实增量场接近,前者（高分辨率集合卡尔曼滤波）的增量值比后者（双分辨率集合卡尔曼滤波）的增量值更接近真实情况;在连续的预报-同化循环试验中,随着同化次数的增加,两种方法分析变量的均方根误差总体上都是下降的,均表现了很好的同化能力,但后者与前者相比仍存在一定的差距;在相同的运行环境下,后者的运行时间仅是前者的1/6。     

Coupling Ensemble Kalman Filter with Four-dimensional Variational Data Assimilation

This study examines the performance of coupling the deterministic four-dimensional variational assimilation system (4DVAR) with an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to produce a superior hybrid approach for data assimilation. The coupled assimilation scheme (E4DVAR) benefits from using the state-dependent uncertainty provided by EnKF while taking advantage of 4DVAR in preventing filter divergence: the 4DVAR analysis produces posterior maximum likelihood solutions through minimization of a cost function about which the ensemble perturbations are transformed, and the resulting ensemble analysis can be propagated forward both for the next assimilation cycle and as a basis for ensemble forecasting. The feasibility and effectiveness of this coupled approach are demonstrated in an idealized model with simulated observations. It is found that the E4DVAR is capable of outperforming both 4DVAR and the EnKF under both perfect- and imperfect-model scenarios. The performance of the coupled scheme is also less sensitive to either the ensemble size or the assimilation window length than those for standard EnKF or 4DVAR implementations.     

GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化系统Ⅰ:系统设计及初步试验

集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化方法,可以用集合样本统计出随天气形势变化的误差协方差,是当前资料同化领域的研究热点。主要介绍了GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化系统的设计以及初步的试验结果。针对集合卡尔曼滤波同化实际观测资料难以实施的问题,采用成批观测同化的顺序同化方法进行多变量的集合卡尔曼滤波同化;为了滤除有限集合数造成的误差相关噪音和缓解求逆矩阵不满秩的问题,在水平和垂直方向都采用了Schur滤波;建立了与GRAPES预报模式的垂直坐标和预报变量一致的模式面集合卡尔曼滤波系统;集合样本的生成考虑了模式变量的空间相关和模式变量之间的相关,通过利用三维变分分析中的控制变量变换得到模式变量扰动场。通过比较GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化系统和GRAPES区域三维变分资料同化系统的单点观测资料同化分析结果,对比背景误差相关系数的分布,验证了GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波系统的正确性。此外,同化区域探空观测资料试验结果表明,GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化系统能够得到合理的分析,并且具有实际运行能力。对分析结果进行12h预报表明,GRAPES集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化系统的分析协调性不如三维变分资料同化系统。     

A data assimilation technique based on the π-algorithm

A practical implementation of the data assimilation algorithm based on the Kalman filter in its complete formulation is impossible due to high dimension of the associated equation sets and to nonlinearity of the predicted processes. The main direction in the implementation of the Kalman filter is an ensemble approach. Under the assumption of ergodicity of random forecast errors, an alternative algorithm with respect to the ensemble Kalman filter can be considered, in which probability averaging is replaced by time averaging. The proposes algorithm is based this assumption. The algorithm is easy to implement; however, its convergence, applicability to the data assimilation problems, and connection to the Kalman filter have not been studied. In the paper, applicability of the π-algorithm to data assimilation is considered on an example of a simple one-dimensional advection equation. Use of this simple equation allows comparing the classical Kalman filter algorithm with various practical approaches to its implementation.     

微物理方案及其参数对EnSRF资料同化的影响研究

利用自主构建的基于风暴尺度的WRF-En SRF系统同化模拟多普勒雷达资料,讨论了微物理方案及其参数的不确定性对同化效果的影响。试验采用组合微物理方案以及扰动微物理方案中的参数的方法,结果表明,模式误差非常小甚至可以忽略时,使用单个微物理方案并扰动参数能够使真实风暴的主要特征在分析场中较未扰动参数得到更好地反映;存在模式误差时,使用单个微物理方案并扰动参数后,分析场中的各要素的分布较未扰动参数更加接近真实风暴,同化效果得到改进,且改进效果比模式误差非常小时更为明显;存在模式误差时,组合微物理方案并扰动参数后,分析场中对流云团的形态较未组合方案或未扰动参数更接近真实风暴,主要要素场的配置最能反映真实风暴的特征,同化效果最为理想。结果也表明,扰动参数时、参数扰动范围较小时,同化效果较优。     

风暴尺度天气下利用集合卡尔曼滤波模拟多普勒雷达资料同化试验I.不考虑模式误差的情形

本文在假定模式无偏差的情况下, 利用一次风暴过程的模拟多普勒雷达资料进行一系列风暴天气尺度的集合卡尔曼滤波资料同化试验, 检验集合卡尔曼滤波在风暴天气尺度资料同化方面的效果, 并验证各集合卡尔曼滤波参数对同化效果的影响。试验结果表明, 集合卡尔曼滤波能有效地应用于风暴尺度的资料同化; 40个集合成员以及6 km的局地化尺度能较好地滤除采样误差造成的虚假相关, 同时可以将观测信息传递到无观测的模式格点; 利用背景场加上空间平滑的高斯型随机扰动生成初始成员的方式较未经过平滑的方式有更好的分析效果; 背景场扰动方法能够提高样本的离散度; 只同化反射率的同化试验表明, 反射率的同化效果较明显, 也证明了集合卡尔曼滤波在非常规资料同化中的作用; 增加径向风资料同化的效果优于只进行反射率同化的结果。     

Coupled atmosphere–ocean data assimilation experiments with a low-order climate model

A simple idealized atmosphere–ocean climate model and an ensemble Kalman filter are used to explore different coupled ensemble data assimilation strategies. The model is a low-dimensional analogue of the North Atlantic climate system, involving interactions between large-scale atmospheric circulation and ocean states driven by the variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC). Initialization of the MOC is assessed in a range of experiments, from the simplest configuration consisting of forcing the ocean with a known atmosphere to performing fully coupled ensemble data assimilation. “Daily” assimilation (that is, at the temporal frequency of the atmospheric observations) is contrasted with less frequent assimilation of time-averaged observations. Performance is also evaluated under scenarios in which ocean observations are limited to the upper ocean or are non-existent. Results show that forcing the idealized ocean model with atmospheric analyses is inefficient at recovering the slowly evolving MOC. On the other hand, daily assimilation rapidly leads to accurate MOC analyses, provided a comprehensive set of oceanic observations is available for assimilation. In the absence of sufficient observations in the ocean, the assimilation of time-averaged atmospheric observations proves to be more effective for MOC initialization, including the case where only atmospheric observations are available.     

非线性滤波在含“开关”过程的资料同化中的应用研究

利用一个描述实际数值天气预报模式中比湿在单格线上随时间发展的偏微分方程作为控制方程,研究分析了非线性滤波方法在含开关过程的资料同化中的有效性和可行性。首先在贝叶斯理论框架下,讨论了一般情形的非线性滤波方法,然后对基于粒子滤波(PF)和基于集合卡尔曼滤波(EnKF)的两种同化方法进行对比,由于EnKF是通过对集合成员的统计分析得到的误差分布的一阶矩和二阶矩来近似真实误差分布的,所以当用高斯分布近似真实误差分布所产生的误差较大时,基于EnKF的同化方法得到的结果也会有较大的误差。最后分别从观测算子为线性和非线性、观测误差为高斯型和非高斯型4种情形进行数值试验,结果显示当观测误差为高斯型时,无论观测算子为线性还是非线性,基于PF和基于EnKF的同化方法都能克服由开关过程给资料同化带来的困难,给出满意的同化结果;而当观测误差为非高斯型时,EnKF出现滤波不稳定,产生了非理想的同化结果,但PF方法仍然能够有效地发挥作用,给出满意的同化结果。     

A Multivariate Empirical Orthogonal Function-Based Scheme for the Balanced Initial Ensemble Generation of an Ensemble Kalman Filter

The initial ensemble perturbations for an ensemble data assimilation system are expected to reasonably sample model uncertainty at the time of analysis to further reduce analysis uncertainty. Therefore, the careful choice of an initial ensemble perturbation method that dynamically cycles ensemble perturbations is required for the optimal performance of the system. Based on the multivariate empirical orthogonal function (MEOF) method, a new ensemble initialization scheme is developed to generate balanced initial perturbations for the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation, with a reasonable consideration of the physical relationships between different model variables. The scheme is applied in assimilation experiments with a global spectral atmospheric model and with real observations. The proposed perturbation method is compared to the commonly used method of spatially-correlated random perturbations. The comparisons show that the model uncertainties prior to the first analysis time, which are forecasted from the balanced ensemble initial fields, maintain a much more reasonable spread and a more accurate forecast error covariance than those from the randomly perturbed initial fields. The analysis results are further improved by the balanced ensemble initialization scheme due to more accurate background information. Also, a 20-day continuous assimilation experiment shows that the ensemble spreads for each model variable are still retained in reasonable ranges without considering additional perturbations or inflations during the assimilation cycles, while the ensemble spreads from the randomly perturbed initialization scheme decrease and collapse rapidly.     

Ideal Case Study of Adaptive Localization in Storm-scale Ensemble Kalman Filter Assimilation

This study explores the use of the hierarchical ensemble filter to determine the localized influence of ob-servations in the Weather Research and Forecasting ensemble square root filtering (WRF-EnSRF) assimilation system. With error correlations between observations and background field state variables considered, the adaptive localization approach is applied to conduct a series of ideal storm-scale data assimilation experiments using simulated Doppler radar data. Comparisons between adaptive and empirical localization methods are made, and the feasibility of adaptive locali-zation for storm-scale ensemble Kalman filter assimilation is demonstrated. Unlike empirical localization, which relies on prior knowledge of distance between observations and background field, the hierarchical ensemble filter provides con-tinuously updating localization influence weights adaptively. The adaptive scheme improves assimilation quality during rapid storm development and enhances assimilation of reflectivity observations. The characteristics of both the observation type and the storm development stage should be considered when identifying the most appropriate localization method. Ultimately, combining empirical and adaptive methods can optimize assimilation quality.     

Dust storm ensemble forecast experiments in East Asia

The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), as a unified approach to both data assimilation and ensemble forecasting problems, is used to investigate the performance of dust storm ensemble forecasting targeting a dust episode in the East Asia during 23–30 May 2007. The errors in the input wind field, dust emission intensity, and dry deposition velocity are among important model uncertainties and are considered in the model error perturbations. These model errors are not assumed to have zero-means. The model error me...     

集合Kalman滤波在土壤湿度同化中的应用

基于非饱和土壤水模型和集合卡尔曼滤波 (Ensemble Kalman Filter, 简称EnKF) 并结合陆面水文模型——可变下渗能力模型 (Variable Infiltration Capacity, 简称VIC模型) 发展了一个土壤湿度同化方案。利用1998年6~8月淮河流域能量和水循环试验 (HUBEX) 项目外场观测试验区——史灌河流域梅山站土壤湿度逐日观测资料及1986~1993年合肥和南阳两站点的土壤湿度旬观测资料进行同化试验, 结果表明该同化方案能完整估计土壤湿度廓线, 同化的土壤湿度与观测资料基本吻合, 反映了土壤湿度的日、 旬、 月、 季变化, 同化方案是合理的。与基于扩展卡尔曼滤波 (Extended Kalman Filter, 简称EKF) 的土壤湿度同化方案的结果比较, 基于EnKF的土壤湿度同化方案易于实现, 且通过选择恰当的集合样本数其同化效果总体上略优于EKF同化方案, 但前者同化时需要花费较多的计算时间。     

集合最优插值中的样本选取

背景误差协方差控制了分析向观测调整的幅度以及调整的结构,所以其对同化分析的质量起着至关重要的作用。对于集合同化方法而言,样本决定了背景误差协方差的分布。基于HYCOM海洋数值模式结果,针对集合最优插值方法,探讨了静态样本的选取和更新对背景误差协方差结构分布的影响,研究结果表明：由变量的原始状态数据估计的静态样本会夸大样本相关性,由扣除季节变化得到的距平数据统计出的静态样本能比较合理地反映背景误差协方差的结构;在季风控制区,具有季节变化的样本比静态样本更能适应背景误差协方差随流形分布的特征。同时一系列的同化试验也被实施来进一步调查不同样本对同化分析的影响。     

集合卡尔曼平滑和集合卡尔曼滤波在污染源反演中的应用

此文目的是讨论污染源反演问题的统计方法.基于Bayes估计理论,该文将资料同化中的集合平滑、集合卡尔曼平滑和集合卡尔曼滤波应用在污染源反演问题中.在详细给出污染源反演的集合平滑、集合卡尔曼平滑和集合卡尔曼滤波的严格数学表达后,用一个简单的模型演示了集合卡尔曼平滑和集合卡尔曼滤波在污染源反演中的可行性,并且通过对比理想试验结果比较了集合卡尔曼平滑和集合卡尔曼滤波方法在反演污染源排放的效果,讨论了观测误差和污染源先验误差估计对反演结果的影响.试验结果表明在观测间隔小和观测误差小的情况下,集合卡尔曼滤波和集合卡尔曼平滑都可以有效地反演出随时间变化的污染源排放.当观测误差增大时,集合卡尔曼滤波和集合卡尔曼平滑的反演效果都有一定降低,但是反演误差的增加少于观测误差的增加,同时集合卡尔曼平滑(Ensemble Kalman smoother,简称EnKS)对观测误差比集合卡尔曼滤波(Ensemble Kalman filter,简称EnKF)更为敏感.当观测时间间隔较大时,EnKF不能对没有观测时的污染源排放进行估计,仅能对有观测时的污染源排放进行较好的反演.而EnKS可以利用观测对观测时刻前的污染源排放进行反演,因此其效果明显好于EnKF,并且在观测时间间隔较大的情况下依然可以较好地反演出污染源排放.试验结果还显示污染源排放的先验误差估计对反演的结果有较大影响.     

The use of ensemble Kalman filter for the planning of adaptive observations

Observations are one of the main elements influencing the result of the data assimilation procedure in the models. The additional sources of observations such as the aircraft data have appeared recently. In view of this, the problem arose of receiving the additional observations to specify the result of the data assimilation procedure. The approaches are considered to the estimation of the areas of additional observations for the increase in the accuracy of analysis and forecast in the data assimilation procedure. A technique of observational network planning using the ensemble Kalman filter is proposed. The results are given of numerical experiments on the estimation of the algorithm properties using the model based on the barotropic quasi-geostrophic vortex equation.