Open AccessDiscussion of long-range weather prediction
Author(s) -
G.H. Canavan
Publication year - 1998
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/348900
Subject(s) - predictability , range (aeronautics) , meteorology , weather prediction , atmosphere (unit) , observational study , weather forecasting , space weather , field (mathematics) , computer science , environmental science , space (punctuation) , operations research , geography , aerospace engineering , engineering , mathematics , statistics , pure mathematics , operating system
A group of scientists at Los Alamos have held a series of discussions of the issues in and prospects for improvements in Long-range Weather Predictions Enabled by Proving of the Atmosphere at High Space-Time Resolution. The group contained the requisite skills for a full evaluation, although this report presents only an informal discussion of the main technical issues. The group discussed all aspects of the proposal, which are grouped below into the headings: (1) predictability; (2) sensors and satellites, (3) DIAL and atmospheric sensing; (4) localized transponders; and (5) summary and integration. Briefly, the group agreed that the relative paucity of observations of the state of the atmosphere severely inhibits the accuracy of weather forecasts, and any program that leads to a more dense and uniform observational network is welcome. As shown in Long-range Weather more dense and uniform observational network is welcome. As shown in Long-range Weather Predictions, the pay-back of accurate long-range forecasts should more than justify the expenditure associated with improved observations and forecast models required. The essential step is to show that the needed technologies are available for field test and space qualification