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Numerical weather prediction
Author(s) -
Leith C. E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg013i003p00681
Subject(s) - predictability , data assimilation , meteorology , numerical weather prediction , weather prediction , atmosphere (unit) , scale (ratio) , geophysical fluid dynamics , environmental science , weather forecasting , atmospheric research , climatology , atmospheric physics , weather research and forecasting model , computer science , geology , geography , mathematics , statistics , cartography
Various numerical models are in use for prediction of the large‐scale motions of the atmosphere for operational or research purposes, and all seem to have comparable skill for several days, as shown by Druyan [1974] in a comparison of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) [ Somerville et al. , 1974] model forecasts with those at the National Meteorological Center (NMC) [ Shuman and Hovermale , 1968], the Fleet Numerical Weather Central (FNWC) [ Kesel and Winninghoff , 1972], and the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) [ Miyakoda et al. , 1972]. There have also been many models developed for treating limited areas with higher resolution, as described in a paper by Chen and Miyakoda [1974], in which many references to such models may be found. The principal topics of this review, however, will be the recent research on the question of the theoretical predictability of the large‐scale motions of the atmosphere, on the design of a global observing and data assimilation system, and on the development of statistical‐dynamical forecasting models. These all relate to the first objective of the Global Atmospheric Research Program (Garp), namely, increasing the accuracy of forecasting over periods of 1 day to several weeks.