Experiments of the WRF three-/four-dimensional variational (3/4DVAR) data assimilation in the forecasting of Antarctic cyclones

The three-/four-dimensional variational data assimilation systems (3/4DVAR) of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model were explored in the forecasting of two Antarctic synoptic cyclones, which had large influence on the Ross Sea/Ross Ice Shelf region in October 2007. A suite of variational data assimilation experiments, including regular 3DVAR, high-resolution 3DVAR, and 4DVAR experiments, were designed to evaluate their performances in weather analysis and forecasting in Antarctica. In general, both 4DVAR and high-resolution 3DVAR experiments showed better forecasting skill than regular 3DVAR experiments. High-resolution 3DVAR experiments were the most efficient in reducing the analysis errors of surface winds and temperature, and had the best performance during the first 24 h of forecasting. However, during the following forecast period, 4DVAR experiments showed either better or about comparable performance to high-resolution 3DVAR experiments. These results indicate that increasing the spatial resolution during 3DVAR is an economical approach to improving the weather analysis and forecasting over Antarctica. At the same time, the 4DVAR approach had a longer impact on forecasting than the high-resolution 3DVAR approach. Understandably, both of the variational assimilation approaches are promising techniques toward improving the regional analysis and forecasting over Antarctica.