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.     

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.     

Evaluation of radar and automatic weather station data assimilation for a heavy rainfall event in southern China

To improve the accuracy of short-term(0–12 h) forecasts of severe weather in southern China, a real-time storm-scale forecasting system, the Hourly Assimilation and Prediction System(HAPS), has been implemented in Shenzhen, China. The forecasting system is characterized by combining the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF-ARW)model and the Advanced Regional Prediction System(ARPS) three-dimensional variational data assimilation(3DVAR) package. It is capable of assimilating radar reflectivity and radial velocity data from multiple Doppler radars as well as surface automatic weather station(AWS) data. Experiments are designed to evaluate the impacts of data assimilation on quantitative precipitation forecasting(QPF) by studying a heavy rainfall event in southern China. The forecasts from these experiments are verified against radar, surface, and precipitation observations. Comparison of echo structure and accumulated precipitation suggests that radar data assimilation is useful in improving the short-term forecast by capturing the location and orientation of the band of accumulated rainfall. The assimilation of radar data improves the short-term precipitation forecast skill by up to9 hours by producing more convection. The slight but generally positive impact that surface AWS data has on the forecast of near-surface variables can last up to 6–9 hours. The assimilation of AWS observations alone has some benefit for improving the Fractions Skill Score(FSS) and bias scores; when radar data are assimilated, the additional AWS data may increase the degree of rainfall overprediction.     

Object-based evaluation of precipitation forecast quality

The method of object-based diagnostic evaluation (MODE) is used to estimate the quality of forecasts of intensive precipitation zones using the WRF-ARW mesoscale nonhydrostatic model. The model is integrated on the horizontal 3-km grid without the cumulus parameterization. The prognostic fields of the reflectivity at the level of 700 hPa are compared with the observed radar reflectivity at the level of 3 km. Objects in the simulated and observed fields obtained by means of the convolution (smoothing) and thresholding (>20 dBZ) were matched according to the distance separating their centers of gravity (centroids). This distance was 50 km or lower in 12% of the total number of forecasts and 100 km or lower, in 30% of forecasts. It is revealed that the model overestimates the heavy precipitation areas.     

雷达反射率三维拼图观测资料在北方区域数值模式预报系统中的同化应用研究

以业务应用为目标,开展雷达反射率三维拼图观测资料在北方区域数值预报系统中的同化应用研究。采用雷达反射率间接同化方法同化北方雷达反射率拼图观测资料,重点关注其对降水、湿度、温度及风的预报能力影响。首先,基于2017年8月雷达拼图观测资料批量同化和对比试验,对雷达拼图资料同化应用效果进行定量评估,结果表明雷达拼图资料同化虽然加大了地面风场预报误差,但在降水预报和湿度、温度预报等方面有明显的改善作用。其次,选择在业务中预报难度较大的强降水个例开展分析研究,分析表明:（1）同化雷达拼图观测资料有效提高了模式降水预报性能,临近降水发生的循环起报时次预报效果更好;（2）对于短时间多次强降水过程发生的预报,循环同化雷达拼图资料可及时弥补模式中由于前次降水导致的水汽、能量等消耗及热/动力条件削弱,持续支持降水系统发展。最后,通过考察雷达反射率的不同同化方案,发现同化反演水凝物或者估计水汽均能改善模式降水预报性能,但是同化估计水汽对降水预报性能的改善更为明显,联合使用两方案能同时对水凝物分布、热力场等进行调整,可提高模式降水预报性能。      

华北地区一次积层混合云降水的数值模拟研究

利用WRF ARW中尺度数值模式对2009年4月18日华北地区的一次积层混合云系降水进行模拟。首先,对实况的天气形势和雷达反射率及垂直剖面进行分析;并通过垂直剖面对其流场结构概念图进行分析;然后,通过对比,模拟的自然降水分布与实测结果基本一致,模拟的雷达组合反射率和雷达反射率的垂直剖面与实测结果也基本一致;通过分析云中各要素的分布,了解了积层混合云系的微物理特征和动力特征;最后对积层混合云降水机制进行探讨。结果表明：积层混合云水凝物含水量分布不均匀,对流云和层状云相互粘连跨接,水平方向充分混合,雨水的大值中心、云水的大值中心及冰晶的大值区相互对应,存在播撒-供给机制。从动力场来看,在低层对流云区域垂直上升速度较大,高层对流云区域的旁侧有较明显的下沉气流,云区低层存在辐合,高层存在辐散,此种配置有利于维持云系的发展。积层混合云不仅在层状云区有层状云的简单的＂播撒-供给＂机制,或在积状云区有粒子群的循环增长机制,而且可以发生层云—积云间的粒子群交换。     

云分析方法对浙江省一次强对流天气数值模拟的应用初探

基于云分析方法,利用WRF-ARW模式设计一套快速更新循环同化方案,对2019年3月21至22日发生在浙江省的一次强对流天气过程进行模拟研究。通过设计两组对比试验,对云分析同化雷达反射率效果进行诊断分析。在控制试验中,模拟降水落区和降水量与实况差别较大,而采用云分析方法同化雷达反射率（CA-DA）的模拟试验中,降水模拟效果相对较好,雨带明显东移,强度与实况接近。初步结果表明,利用云分析同化雷达反射率因子可以改进模式初始场的风、温度、水汽场以及水凝物等信息,进而缩短模式spin-up时间,提高降水落区及强度的预报。     

Impact of the Assimilation Frequency of Radar Data with the ARPS 3DVar and Cloud Analysis System on Forecasts of a Squall Line in Southern China

Assimilation configurations have significant impacts on analysis results and subsequent forecasts. A squall line system that occurred on 23 April 2007 over southern China was used to investigate the impacts of the data assimilation frequency of radar data on analyses and forecasts. A three-dimensional variational system was used to assimilate radial velocity data,and a cloud analysis system was used for reflectivity assimilation with a 2-h assimilation window covering the initial stage of the squall line. Two operators of radar reflectivity for cloud analyses corresponding to single-and double-moment schemes were used. In this study, we examined the sensitivity of assimilation frequency using 10-, 20-, 30-, and 60-min assimilation intervals. The results showed that analysis fields were not consistent with model dynamics and microphysics in general;thus, model states, including dynamic and microphysical variables, required approximately 20 min to reach a new balance after data assimilation in all experiments. Moreover, a 20-min data assimilation interval generally produced better forecasts for both single-and double-moment schemes in terms of equitable threat and bias scores. We conclude that a higher data assimilation frequency can produce a more intense cold pool and rear inflow jets but does not necessarily lead to a better forecast.     

多普勒雷达资料同化在“7.21”北京特大暴雨个例中的应用

基于WRF(Weather Research Forecast)模式和GSI(Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation)同化系统,研究了同化4部多普勒雷达探测资料对"7.21"北京特大暴雨过程中降水预报的改善作用。GSI系统直接同化径向风,而采用云分析的方式间接同化反射率。2012年7月20日21时—21日00时(世界时)雷达探测资料同化试验采用30 min循环同化径向风和反射率资料。结果表明,循环同化雷达探测资料改善了短时(0—6 h)和短期(0—24 h)降水预报,ETS评分提高了约0.2。同化反射率资料增加了初始场的水凝物,改善了温度场分布,直接影响了降水的形成,同时还使650—250 hPa位势高度的均方根误差平均降低了8 gpm。直接同化径向风资料对中尺度风场产生了一定影响。ETS评分结果表明:同化反射率资料的效果要优于同化径向风。     

Assimilation of Radar and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Data Using WRF-3DVar Combined with the Physical Initialization Method——A Case Study of a Mesoscale Convective System

Radar data, which have incomparably high temporal and spatial resolution, and lightning data, which are great indicators of severe convection, have been used to improve the initial field and increase the accuracies of nowcasting and short-term forecasting. Physical initialization combined with the three-dimensional variational data assimilation method(PI3 DVar_rh) is used in this study to assimilate two kinds of observation data simultaneously, in which radar data are dominant and lightning data are introduced as constraint conditions. In this way, the advantages of dual observations are adopted. To verify the effect of assimilating radar and lightning data using the PI3 DVar_rh method, a severe convective activity that occurred on 5 June 2009 is utilized, and five assimilation experiments are designed based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model. The assimilation of radar and lightning data results in moister conditions below cloud top, where severe convection occurs; thus, wet forecasts are generated in this study.The results show that the control experiment has poor prediction accuracy. Radar data assimilation using the PI3 DVar_rh method improves the location prediction of reflectivity and precipitation, especially in the last 3-h prediction, although the reflectivity and precipitation are notably overestimated. The introduction of lightning data effectively thins the radar data, reduces the overestimates in radar data assimilation, and results in better spatial pattern and intensity predictions. The predicted graupel mixing ratio is closer to the distribution of the observed lightning,which can provide more accurate lightning warning information.     

C波段雷达在新疆区域数值预报系统中的应用初探

基于新疆区域数值预报系统（Desert Oasis Gobi Rapid Analysis Forecast System,下称DOGRAFS）,开展了同化C波段雷达资料对2010年10月6日发生在新疆的一次强降水过程预报结果影响的试验分析。其中设计包括不同化任何资料、同化常规资料、同化雷达反射率因子、同化雷达径向风、同时同化反射率因子和径向风五组试验,重点分析了雷达资料同化对此次天气过程降水、温度以及风速模拟效果的影响。结果表明：（1）同化雷达径向风和同时同化径向风和反射率因子相对于其他三组试验,对降水预报的TS和ETs评分更高;（2）相对于其他三组试验,同化雷达径向风和同时同化径向风和反射率因子对模式垂直方向上的温度、风速预报偏差具有一定的改善效果;（3）对于地面2 m温度和10 m风速而言,同化常规观测资料比其他四组试验预报的平均偏差和均方根误差更小;其它四组试验误差相当,差别不明显,表明同化雷达对近地面层温度和风的影响不明显。本研究旨在探索C波段雷达观测资料在新疆区域数值预报系统中的适用性,为今后雷达观测资料在业务系统中的应用提供参考。     

Analyses and forecasts of a tornadic supercell outbreak using a 3DVAR system ensemble

As part of NOAA’s "Warn-On-Forecast" initiative, a convective-scale data assimilation and prediction system was developed using the WRF-ARW model and ARPS 3DVAR data assimilation technique. The system was then evaluated using retrospective short-range ensemble analyses and probabilistic forecasts of the tornadic supercell outbreak event that occurred on 24 May 2011 in Oklahoma, USA. A 36-member multi-physics ensemble system provided the initial and boundary conditions for a 3-km convective-scale ensemble system. Radial velocity and reflectivity observations from four WSR-88 Ds were assimilated into the ensemble using the ARPS 3DVAR technique. Five data assimilation and forecast experiments were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of the system to data assimilation frequencies, in-cloud temperature adjustment schemes, and fixed- and mixed-microphysics ensembles. The results indicated that the experiment with 5-min assimilation frequency quickly built up the storm and produced a more accurate analysis compared with the 10-min assimilation frequency experiment. The predicted vertical vorticity from the moist-adiabatic in-cloud temperature adjustment scheme was larger in magnitude than that from the latent heat scheme. Cycled data assimilation yielded good forecasts, where the ensemble probability of high vertical vorticity matched reasonably well with the observed tornado damage path. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the 3DVAR analysis and forecast system can provide reasonable forecasts of tornadic supercell storms.     

The Impact of Assimilating Radar-estimated Rain Rates on Simulation of Precipitation in the 17--18 July 1996 Chicago Floods

Rainfall prediction remains one of the most challenging problems in weather forecasting. In order to improve high-resolution quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF), a new procedure for assimilating rainfall rate derived from radar composite reflectivity has been proposed and tested in a numerical simulation of the Chicago floods of 17–18 July 1996. The methodology is based on the one-dimensional variation scheme (1DVAR) assimilation approach introduced by Fillion and Errico but applied here using the Ka...     

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.     

雷达资料在登陆台风“桑美”数值模拟中的应用

将国内多普勒天气雷达的反射率因子及径向风资料引入ARPS-3DVar同化系统进行同化,针对2006年登陆浙江苍南并造成严重影响的超强台风“桑美”,探讨多普勒雷达资料同化对台风模拟初始场和预报场的改进作用。结果表明:利用ARPS-3DVar同化雷达资料可以明显改善6 h同化窗口内的降水、风场和回波结构,并能提高模式对中尺度雨团位置、强度的模拟能力;雷达资料初始场同化后模拟的台风涡旋和台风眼结构与位置更加接近实况,各物理量空间分布结构更具有明显中尺度特征,从而改善了台风路径和降水的预报。但模拟过程中台风强度模拟偏弱,有待进一步改进。     

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF FY-4 LIGHTNING DATA ASSIMILATION ON PRECIPITATION PREDICTIONS

Data from the lightning mapping imager on board the Fengyun-4 meteorological satellite (FY-4) were used to study the assimilation of lightning data and its influence on precipitation predictions. We first conducted a quality control check on the events observed by the first Fengyun-4 satellite (FY-4A) lightning mapping imager, after which the noise points were removed from the lightning distribution. The subsequent distribution was more consistent with the spatial distribution and range of ground-based observations and precipitation. We selected the radar reflectivity, which was closely related to the lightning frequency, as the parameter to assimilate the lightning data and utilized a large sample of lightning frequency and radar reflectivity data from the eastern United States provided by Vaisala. Based on statistical analysis, we found the empirical relationship between the lightning frequency and radar reflectivity and established a look-up table between them. We converted the lightning event data into radar reflectivity data and found that the converted reflectivity and composite reflectivity of ground-based radar observations showed high consistency. We further assimilated the lightning data into the model, adjusted the model cloud analysis process and adjusted the model hydrometeor field by using the lightning data. A rainstorm weather process that occurred on August 8, 2017, in south China was used for the numerical forecast experiment, and three experiments were designed for comparison and analysis: a control experiment, an experiment without the assimilation of FY-4 lightning data (NoLig), and an experiment with the assimilation of FY-4 lightning data (Lig). The results show that after assimilating the FY-4A lightning data, the accuracies of the intensity, central location and range of the precipitation predicted by the Lig experiment were obviously superior to those predicted by the control and NoLig experiments, and the effect was especially obvious in the short-term (1–2 hour) forecast. The studies in this paper highlight the application value and potential of FY-4 lightning data in precipitation predictions.     

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.     

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF 3DVAR AND ENSRF DIRECT ASSIMILATION OF RADAR DATA ON THE FORECAST OF A HEAVY RAINFALL EVENT

The present study designs experiments on the direct assimilation of radial velocity and reflectivity data collected by an S-band Doppler weather radar (CINRAD WSR-98D) at the Hefei Station and the reanalysis data produced by the United States National Centers for Environmental Prediction using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, the WRF model with a three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) data assimilation system and the WRF model with an ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) data assimilation system. In addition, the present study analyzes a Meiyu front heavy rainfall process that occurred in the Yangtze -Huaihe River Basin from July 4 to July 5, 2003, through numerical simulation. The results show the following. (1) The assimilation of the radar radial velocity data can increase the perturbations in the low-altitude atmosphere over the heavy rainfall region, enhance the convective activities and reduce excessive simulated precipitation. (2) The 3DVAR assimilation method significantly adjusts the horizontal wind field. The assimilation of the reflectivity data improves the microphysical quantities and dynamic fields in the model. In addition, the assimilation of the radial velocity and reflectivity data can better adjust the wind fields and improve the intensity and location of the simulated radar echo bands. (3) The EnSRF assimilation method can assimilate more small-scale wind field information into the model. The assimilation of the reflectivity data alone can relatively accurately forecast the rainfall centers. In addition, the assimilation of the radial velocity and reflectivity data can improve the location of the simulated radar echo bands. (4) The use of the 3DVAR and EnSRF assimilation methods to assimilate the radar radial velocity and reflectivity data can improve the forecast of precipitation, rain-band areal coverage and the center location and intensity of precipitation.     

多普勒雷达资料同化对北京“7.21”大暴雨过程模拟的影响

利用新一代中尺度预报模式WRFV3.6及其三维变分同化系统(WRF-3DVAR),对2012年7月21日北京地区的一次暴雨过程进行多普勒天气雷达径向风和反射率的同化试验研究,检验和探讨高时空分辨率多普勒天气雷达资料在改进模式初始场及提高对暴雨过程预报的准确率等方面的应用效果及意义。结果发现雷达资料同化能在初始场中加入反映产生降水的低层风场辐合的动力和锋前暖区充足的水汽条件的物理信息,可以在模式积分开始后改善初始场中水汽和风的分布,较快地模拟出局地对流系统的发生、发展,改善由于中尺度观测资料不足而造成的模式初始场里中尺度信息缺乏的问题。径向速度的同化增加了中尺度信息,对初始流场的调整较为显著,侧重于改进风场。而雷达反射率资料的同化对初始温、湿度场和强回波位置的调整更明显,侧重于改进湿度场。累计降水的预报结果显示,同化径向风资料对雨带的位置、范围有较好的改进,同化雷达反射率资料对暴雨强度的预报有明显的改善。通过降水ETS评分发现,同化常规观测试验相对于控制实验,对于5、15 mm和25 mm降水评分能增加0.1左右,径向风同化试验能增加0.2左右,反射率同化试验能增加0.3左右,而径向风加反射率试验增加的评分介于0.2～0.3。雷达资料对于提高定量降水预报的精确度有着重要作用。     

多普勒天气雷达反射率资料的三维变分同化试验

基于美国新一代数值预报模式WRF (The Weather Research and Forecasting)及其3DVAR (Three-Dimensional Variational)同化系统,采用3DVAR直接同化雷达反射率资料,对2010年10月8日发生在云南省的暴雨过程进行三维变分同化和数值模拟试验。考察了采用不同水平分辨率和垂直层次的雷达反射率进入同化系统对暴雨预报带来的影响。结果表明:同化雷达资料相对无同化任何资料,雨带位置南移,更接近实况降水。同化不同水平分辨率的雷达反射率资料,其中水平分辨率为0.1度的反射率资料同化后,模拟的降水相对其他方案更接近实况。垂直方向上选取3500m和6000m高度的资料,对整个降水带位置和降水强度影响较大。在此个例中选取垂直层次在1000m,2000m,3000m,3500m,4000m,5000m,7000m,8000m的雷达反射率资料,模式模拟的降水更接近实况。