ON THE OPTIMAL BACKGROUND ERROR COVARIANCES: DIFFERENT SCALE ERRORS’ CONTRIBUTION

The large-scale and small-scale errors could affect background error covariances for a regional numerical model with the specified grid resolution.Based on the different background error covariances influenced by different scale errors,this study tries to construct a so-called"optimal background error covariances"to consider the interactions among different scale errors.For this purpose,a linear combination of the forecast differences influenced by information of errors at different scales is used to construct the new forecast differences for estimating optimal background error covariances.By adjusting the relative weight of the forecast differences influenced by information of smaller-scale errors,the relative influence of different scale errors on optimal background error covariances can be changed.For a heavy rainfall case,the corresponding optimal background error covariances can be estimated through choosing proper weighting factor for forecast differences influenced by information of smaller-scale errors.The data assimilation and forecast with these optimal covariances show that,the corresponding analyses and forecasts can lead to superior quality,compared with those using covariances that just introduce influences of larger-or smallerscale errors.Due to the interactions among different scale errors included in optimal background error covariances,relevant analysis increments can properly describe weather systems(processes)at different scales,such as dynamic lifting,thermodynamic instability and advection of moisture at large scale,high-level and low-level jet at synoptic scale,and convective systems at mesoscale and small scale,as well as their interactions.As a result,the corresponding forecasts can be improved.     

GRAPES_Meso背景误差特征及应用

基于2015年6月—2016年5月GRAPES_Meso有限区域中尺度数值预报模式产品,采用美国国家气象中心（NMC）方法和高斯函数拟合方案统计中国区域的背景误差和水平相关尺度随纬度、高度和季节的变化特征。结果表明:控制变量的背景误差与水平相关尺度不仅随高度和纬度有明显变化,其中非平衡Exner气压和比湿具有明显的局地性和季节变化特征。非平衡Exner气压的背景误差在青藏高原地区较大,且冬季最大,夏季最小。比湿背景误差在低纬度热带季风区较大,且夏季最大,冬季最小。非平衡Exner气压和比湿的水平相关尺度在冬季最大,夏季最小。同时文中采用随高度变化的水平相关尺度替换GRAPES-3DVar中单一尺度参数,1个月的分析和模式预报试验表明,6 h的位势高度预报在对流层有明显改进;风场分析及其12 h内的预报在平流层改进明显;对24 h不同量级降水的预报有显著正贡献,也显著改善24 h内的小雨、中雨和大雨的空报现象,明显改善12~24 h特大暴雨的漏报现象。     

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.     

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。      

全球资料同化中误差协方差三维结构的准确估计与应用Ⅰ:观测空间协方差的准确估计

观测误差与背景误差协方差在四维资料同化和业务资料分析系统中起到决定性作用,它决定着观测信息与背景初猜值信息的相对重要性以及这些信息在空间及不同变量间的扩展方式。由于实际大气的真值并不知道,需要发展不同的技巧来估计观测误差与背景误差协方差,其中在观测空间利用观测与背景初猜值之差来分离观测误差与背景误差协方差的方法估计出的结果较为准确,其估计出的观测误差可直接用于资料分析系统中,背景误差可作为标尺来度量其他方法估计结果的可靠性。文章采用国家气象中心T213L31全球中期分析预报系统的6 h预报作为背景初猜场及同时段冬夏两个季节的北半球探空,利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法来分离观测误差与背景误差协方差,并比较了东亚区、北美区、欧洲区3个探空资料均匀密集区的区域与季节变化结果。结果表明,观测空间拟合方法所要求的水平均质、各向同性在欧洲区和北美区成立程度较好,在东亚区略差,使用时需要斟酌。此外均方差区域间差别较大,在冬季明显大于夏季,温度场偏大0.2 K,风场偏大0.9 m/s。温度场在400 hPa以下与150 hPa以上,背景误差略小于观测误差,而在200—300 hPa,背景误差略大一些。风场的特点与温度场比较一致。温度与风场背景误差主要集中在前40波,并在20波左右达到最大,水平相关季节区域差别不大,而温度垂直相关比风场窄,两者相关范围比较大的波数主要集中在前20波。此外利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法获得结果的分析表明,在质量场中不同区域季节间温度误差的稳定性要明显好于高度场,涡度散度的稳定性要明显好于流函数和势函数,特别是对于特征长度更为明显。这表明利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法获得的结果对校准在全球资料同化中采用温度、涡度散度作为资料同化的分析变量具有一定的优势。     

Assimilation and Simulation of Typhoon Rusa （2002） Using the WRF System

Using the recently developed Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) 3DVAR and the WRF model, numerical experiments are conducted for the initialization and simulation of typhoon Rusa (2002).The observational data used in the WRF 3DVAR are conventional Global Telecommunications System (GTS) data and Korean Automatic Weather Station (AWS) surface observations. The Background Error Statistics (BES) via the National Meteorological Center (NMC) method has two different resolutions, that is, a 210-km horizontal grid space from the NCEP global model and a 10-km horizontal resolution from Korean operational forecasts. To improve the performance of the WRF simulation initialized from the WRF 3DVAR analyses, the scale-lengths used in the horizontal background error covariances via recursive filter are tuned in terms of the WRF 3DVAR control variables, streamfunction, velocity potential, unbalanced pressure and specific humidity. The experiments with respect to different background error statistics and different observational data indicate that the subsequent 24-h the WRF model forecasts of typhoon Rusa‘s track and precipitation are significantly impacted upon the initial fields. Assimilation of the AWS data with the tuned background error statistics obtains improved predictions of the typhoon track and its precipitation.     

华南区域高分辨率数值模式前汛期预报初步评估

基于华南地区自动站逐小时观测资料, 采用传统站点评分、邻域法等评估华南区域高分辨率数值模式(包括GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式和GRAPES_GZ 3 km模式)对降水、地面温度和风场等要素的预报能力。结果表明: GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式的降水预报技巧优于GRAPES_GZ 3 km模式, 模式预报以正偏差为主。对于不同起报时间的预报, 00时(世界时, 下同)起报的预报效果优于12时。GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式的TS评分是GRAPES_GZ 3 km模式的两倍以上, 对不同降水阈值的评分均较高。分数技巧评分(FSS)显示GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式6 h累计降水预报在0.1 mm、1 mm及5 mm以上的降水均可达到最低预报技巧尺度, 对所检验降水对象的空间位置把握能力更好。2 m气温和10 m风速检验结果表明两个模式均能较好把握广东省温度的分布特征, GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式对2 m气温预报结果优于GRAPES_GZ 3 km模式, 预报绝对误差更小; 两个模式对风速的预报整体偏强, 预报偏差在1~4 m/s之间, 但相比之下GRAPES_GZ 3 km模式在风场预报上表现更好。GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式的2 m气温和10 m风速预报偏差随降水过程存在明显波动, 强降水过后温度预报整体偏低, 风速预报偏强, 在模式产品订正、使用等需要考虑模式对主要天气系统的预报情况。总的来说, GRAPES_GZ_R 1 km模式的预报产品具有较好的参考价值。      

中国L波段探空湿度观测资料的质量评估及偏差订正

L波段探空观测资料无论在天气预报还是数值预报中均为最基本和最重要的一类数据,而其湿度观测资料的质量对同化分析及降水预报有直接影响。通过用L波段探空湿度观测资料与不同类型的其他观测反演的湿度资料互校及与NCEP、GRAPES、EC等不同模式分析场为背景的湿度场比较,评估中国L波段探空湿度观测资料的质量状况,对探空湿度资料的质量有了新的认识,为更好地使用该资料提供依据。研究发现中国L波段探空湿度观测资料存在偏干的现象,特别是当背景场湿度大于60%时,观测湿度偏低更加明显。通过分析其偏差特征,找出了适合中国L波段探空湿度观测资料偏差特点的分段函数订正方法。个例试验表明,对探空湿度观测资料的偏差订正后,观测偏差明显减小,订正效果非常显著;模式降水强度预报能力有一定的提高。从连续试验检验的降水预报评分(TS)和预报偏差(Bias)看,中雨和暴雨的预报在探空湿度观测偏差订正后都表现出正效果。     

基于时空不确定性的对流尺度集合预报效果评估检验

针对对流尺度天气系统的高度非线性特征和高分辨率模式预报结果存在时、空不确定性现象,以及当前邻域概率法主要考虑高分辨率预报结果的空间位移误差,而不能有效解决预报结果存在时间超前与滞后问题,将时间因素引入到邻域概率法中,结合一次强飑线过程进行对流尺度集合预报试验,并基于改进后的新型邻域概率法与分数技巧评分,对降水预报进行了不同时、空尺度的效果评估检验。结果表明:（1）邻域集合概率法和概率匹配平均法在极端降水的分数技巧评分远高于传统集合平均,弥补了集合平均对极端降水预报能力偏低的缺陷。（2）对于此类飑线过程的对流尺度天气系统而言,邻域半径为15—45 km的空间尺度能够改善降水位移误差的空间不确定性,并使其预报效果达到最优,其中15—30 km的邻域半径对于尺度更小的大量级降水事件预报能力更强。（3）对流尺度降水预报考虑时间尺度与降水强度存在着对应关系,不同时间尺度可以捕获到不同量级降水的时间不确定性。同时,时间尺度与空间尺度对于降水预报效果的影响是相互关联的。（4）改进的邻域概率法能够同时体现高分辨率模式预报结果在对流尺度降水事件上存在的时、空不确定性,实现了对流尺度降水在时、空尺度上的综合评估,并能为不同量级降水提供与其时、空尺度相匹配的概率预报结果。      

GPS可降水量资料应用于MM5模式的变分同化试验

利用建立在长江三角洲地区GPS观测网中13个站点的资料对2002年6月27~28日影响长江三角洲地区的降水过程进行了MM5背景误差调节和可降水量资料的三维变分同化试验。试验结果表明:背景误差对三维变分同化的效果起着关键作用,模式变量(u,v,T,p和q)误差的水平尺度与NMC方法的平均时间长度有直接的关系。利用NMC方法重新构建的背景误差更接近实际的背景误差。三维变分技术能有效地同化GPS可降水量资料。GPS可降水量资料的同化使用不仅能调整模式初始湿度场,而且也能相应地调整模式初始气压场、温度场和风场。GPS可降水量资料的同化有利于减小模式初始场对可降水量的分析误差,并且有利于减小模式积分初期(3~6 h)可降水量的预报误差。与没有进行GPS可降水量同化相比,通过GPS可降水量资料的三维变分同化,使MM5模式6 h和24 h累计降水能力得到提高,改善了MM5模式降水预报性能。总体上,GPS可降水量资料的变分同化有利于模式降水预报能力的提高。     

尺度叠加高斯相关模型在GRAPES-RAFS中的应用

背景误差水平相关模型影响着分析增量的结构,同时也决定着不同尺度上分析增量信息的多少.为了提高中小尺度系统的分析质量,研究尺度叠加高斯相关模型的特征及其在三维变分同化系统中的应用效果.通过分析高斯模型和尺度叠加高斯模型的空间特征,以及它们的拉普拉斯算子和谱响应函数的特征,同时依据统计的背景误差特征来改进背景误差水平相关模...     

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.     

一次粤西南暴雨过程的预报误差来源分析

本文基于WRF模式研究了2015年5月16～17日广东西南地区的一次暴雨过程的预报误差来源。首先比较了以NCEP_FNL为初始资料的WRF模式的模拟预报（记为WRF_FNL）和ECMWF（European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts）关于该次暴雨过程的确定性预报。结果表明,ECMWF具有较高的预报技巧,因此,认为ECMWF的模式和初始场都较为准确。进一步,以ECMWF的初值作为初始场,选用相同的物理参数化方案,再次用WRF模式进行预报（预报结果记为WRF_EC）。结果表明相对WRF_FNL,WRF_EC的预报结果有明显改善。这表明,初始场的改进对预报有较大的影响,初始误差是预报误差的重要来源。进一步,分析了初始误差的主要来源区域和来源变量。结果表明,南海北部湾至广西西南区域为本次暴雨预报初始误差的主要来源区域,而初始温度场和初始湿度场则为此次暴雨预报初始误差的主要来源变量。同时改进初始温度场和湿度场可以较大程度提高本次暴雨过程的预报技巧。     

Analysis of a Heavy Rainfall Event over Beijing During 21-22 July2012 Based on High Resolution Model Analyses and Forecasts

The heaviest rainfall over 61 yr hit Beijing during 21-22 July 2012.Characterized by great rainfall amount and intensity,wide range,and high impact,this record-breaking heavy rainfall caused dozens of deaths and extensive damage.Despite favorable synoptic conditions,operational forecasts underestimated the precipitation amount and were late at predicting the rainfall start time.To gain a better understanding of the performance of mesoscale models,verification of high-resolution forecasts and analyses from the WRFbased BJ-RUCv2.0 model with a horizontal grid spacing of 3 km is carried out.The results show that water vapor is very rich and a quasi-linear precipitation system produces a rather concentrated rain area.Moreover,model forecasts are first verified statistically using equitable threat score and BIAS score.The BJ-RUCv2.0forecasts under-predict the rainfall with southwestward displacement error and time delay of the extreme precipitation.Further quantitative analysis based on the contiguous rain area method indicates that major errors for total precipitation( 5 mm h~(-1)) are due to inaccurate precipitation location and pattern,while forecast errors for heavy rainfall( 20 mm h~(-1)) mainly come from precipitation intensity.Finally,the possible causes for the poor model performance are discussed through diagnosing large-scale circulation and physical parameters(water vapor flux and instability conditions) of the BJ-RUCv2.0 model output.     

Analysis of a Heavy Rainfall Event over Beijing During 21-22 July 2012 Based on High Resolution Model Analyses and Forecasts

The heaviest rainfall over 61 yr hit Beijing during 21-22 July 2012.Characterized by great rainfall amount and intensity,wide range,and high impact,this record-breaking heavy rainfall caused dozens of deaths and extensive damage.Despite favorable synoptic conditions,operational forecasts underestimated the precipitation amount and were late at predicting the rainfall start time.To gain a better understanding of the performance of mesoscale models,verification of high-resolution forecasts and analyses from the WRFbased BJ-RUCv2.0 model with a horizontal grid spacing of 3 km is carried out.The results show that water vapor is very rich and a quasi-linear precipitation system produces a rather concentrated rain area.Moreover,model forecasts are first verified statistically using equitable threat score and BIAS score.The BJ-RUCv2.0forecasts under-predict the rainfall with southwestward displacement error and time delay of the extreme precipitation.Further quantitative analysis based on the contiguous rain area method indicates that major errors for total precipitation（〉 5 mm h~（-1）） are due to inaccurate precipitation location and pattern,while forecast errors for heavy rainfall（〉 20 mm h~（-1）） mainly come from precipitation intensity.Finally,the possible causes for the poor model performance are discussed through diagnosing large-scale circulation and physical parameters（water vapor flux and instability conditions） of the BJ-RUCv2.0 model output.     

Can added value be expected in RCM-simulated large scales?

Nested Limited-Area Models require driving data to define their lateral boundary conditions (LBC). The optimal choice of domain size and the repercussions of LBC errors on Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations are important issues in dynamical downscaling work. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of domain size, particularly on the larger scales, and to question whether an RCM, when run over very large domains, can actually improve the large scales compared to those of the driving data. This study is performed with a detailed atmospheric model in its global and regional configurations, using the “Imperfect Big-Brother” (IBB) protocol. The ERA-Interim reanalyses and five global simulations are used to drive RCM simulations for five winter seasons, on four domain sizes centred over the North American continent. Three variables are investigated: precipitation, specific humidity and zonal wind component. The results following the IBB protocol show that, when an RCM is driven by perfect LBC, its skill at reproducing the large scales decreases with increasing the domain of integration, but the errors remain small even for very large domains. On the other hand, when driven by LBC that contain errors, RCMs can bring some reduction of errors in large scales when very large domains are used. The improvement is found especially in the amplitude of patterns of both the stationary and the intra-seasonal transient components. When large errors are present in the LBC, however, these are only partly corrected by the RCM. Although results showed that an RCM can have some skill at improving imperfect large scales supplied as driving LBC, the main added value of an RCM is provided by its small scales and its skill to simulate extreme events, particularly for precipitation. Under the IBB protocol all RCM simulations were fairly skilful at reproducing small scales statistics, although the skill decreased with increasing LBC errors. Coarse-resolution model simulations have difficulties in simulating heavy precipitation events, and as a result their precipitation distributions are systematically shifted toward smaller intensity. Under the IBB protocol, all RCM simulations have distributions very similar to the reference field, being little affected by LBC errors, and no significant differences were found between the small scales statistics and the precipitation distributions obtained over different RCM domains.     

基于数值模式的月尺度近地层气象要素预报技术研究

利用WRF模式对美国NCEP发布的CFS气候预测业务产品在中国区域内进行动力降尺度预报,可得到预报时效为45天的逐6小时、30 km分辨率基础气象要素预测产品。再利用全国气象站观测资料和3个风电场70 m高度风速、温度观测资料对2015年冬季预测结果进行检验评估和分析,最后通过线性方法对地面要素预测结果和70 m高度风速、温度预测结果进行统计订正。结果表明:（1）2 m温度和相对湿度的全国预报平均绝对误差分别为4.71 ℃和18.81%,在华东、华中和华南地区误差较小;（2）10 m风速预报平均绝对误差为2.42 m/s,在东北、华北和西北地区误差较小;（3）线性订正后,2 m气温、相对湿度和10 m风速的预报绝对误差分别减小1.05 ℃、5.29%和1.47 m/s,并且订正后误差随时间变化更平稳;（4）订正后70 m高度风速和温度的预报绝对误差均减小,风速平均误差减小最大可达1.29 m/s（B塔）,气温平均绝对误差减小最大可达3 ℃（C塔）。研究结果表明,基于CFS产品和WRF模式的、与月尺度风电预报关系密切的气象要素预报性能较好,未来可将该方法尝试于风电场的月尺度功率预测产品研发。      

Insights into Convective-scale Predictability in East China: Error Growth Dynamics and Associated Impact on Precipitation of Warm-Season Convective Events

This study investigated the regime-dependent predictability using convective-scale ensemble forecasts initialized with different initial condition perturbations in the Yangtze and Huai River basin(YHRB) of East China. The scale-dependent error growth(ensemble variability) and associated impact on precipitation forecasts(precipitation uncertainties) were quantitatively explored for 13 warm-season convective events that were categorized in terms of strong forcing and weak forcing. The forecast error growth in the strong-forcing regime shows a stepwise increase with increasing spatial scale,while the error growth shows a larger temporal variability with an afternoon peak appearing at smaller scales under weak forcing. This leads to the dissimilarity of precipitation uncertainty and shows a strong correlation between error growth and precipitation across spatial scales. The lateral boundary condition errors exert a quasi-linear increase on error growth with time at the larger scale, suggesting that the large-scale flow could govern the magnitude of error growth and associated precipitation uncertainties, especially for the strong-forcing regime. Further comparisons between scale-based initial error sensitivity experiments show evident scale interaction including upscale transfer of small-scale errors and downscale cascade of larger-scale errors. Specifically, small-scale errors are found to be more sensitive in the weak-forcing regime than those under strong forcing. Meanwhile, larger-scale initial errors are responsible for the error growth after 4 h and produce the precipitation uncertainties at the meso-β-scale. Consequently, these results can be used to explain underdispersion issues in convective-scale ensemble forecasts and provide feedback for ensemble design over the YHRB.     

初始扰动对一次华南暴雨预报的影响的研究

本文选取了2006年华南前汛期的一次暴雨过程, 采用AREMv2.3中尺度数值模式进行数值模拟, 分别在模式初始场的物理量场 (温度场、 风场、 湿度场) 上加扰动, 分析不同物理量场上的扰动对降水预报的影响, 以及物理量预报误差和扰动能量的增长情况。同时, 通过本个例讨论误差增长与湿对流的关系, 扰动振幅对误差增长的影响和华南区域的中尺度降水的可预报性问题。数值试验结果表明: 初始时刻不同物理量场加实际振幅的正态分布的随机扰动时, 对降水的影响是不同的。对于24小时降水预报, 温度场对降水的影响最大。误差的增长与湿对流不稳定有着密切的关系。小尺度小振幅误差增长很快, 而且是非线性增长。这意味着短期的较小尺度降水的可预报性很小。与大振幅扰动相比, 小振幅扰动造成的误差较小。但是小振幅扰动的迅速发展, 很快就会对降水预报造成较大的影响。因此, 只能有限地提高预报质量, 而且由于扰动非线性增长很快, 在预报时间的提前上, 不会有太大的改善。     

Possible sources of forecast errors generated by the global/regional assimilation and prediction system for landfalling tropical cyclones. Part I: Initial uncertainties

This paper investigates the possible sources of errors associated with tropical cyclone (TC) tracks forecasted using the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES). The GRAPES forecasts were made for 16 landfalling TCs in the western North Pacific basin during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, with a forecast length of 72 hours, and using the default initial conditions (“initials”, hereafter), which are from the NCEP-FNL dataset, as well as ECMWF initials. The forecasts are compared with ECMWF forecasts. The results show that in most TCs, the GRAPES forecasts are improved when using the ECMWF initials compared with the default initials. Compared with the ECMWF initials, the default initials produce lower intensity TCs and a lower intensity subtropical high, but a higher intensity South Asia high and monsoon trough, as well as a higher temperature but lower specific humidity at the TC center. Replacement of the geopotential height and wind fields with the ECMWF initials in and around the TC center at the initial time was found to be the most efficient way to improve the forecasts. In addition, TCs that showed the greatest improvement in forecast accuracy usually had the largest initial uncertainties in TC intensity and were usually in the intensifying phase. The results demonstrate the importance of the initial intensity for TC track forecasts made using GRAPES, and indicate the model is better in describing the intensifying phase than the decaying phase of TCs. Finally, the limit of the improvement indicates that the model error associated with GRAPES forecasts may be the main cause of poor forecasts of landfalling TCs. Thus, further examinations of the model errors are required.