Article Type:
Research Article

Implementation of Deterministic Weather Forecasting Systems Based on Ensemble–Variational Data Assimilation at Environment Canada. Part I: The Global System

Mark Buehner * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Ron McTaggart-Cowan Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Alain Beaulne Data Assimilation and Quality Control Development Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Cécilien Charette * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Louis Garand * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Sylvain Heilliette * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Ervig Lapalme * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Stéphane Laroche * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Stephen R. Macpherson * Data Assimilation and Satellite Meteorology Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Josée Morneau Data Assimilation and Quality Control Development Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Ayrton Zadra Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2015
Collections:
Sixth WMO Data Assimilation Symposium
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-14-00354.1
Page(s):
2532–2559
Restricted access

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Abstract

A major set of changes was made to the Environment Canada global deterministic prediction system during the fall of 2014, including the replacement of four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVar) by four-dimensional ensemble–variational data assimilation (4DEnVar). The new system provides improved forecast accuracy relative to the previous system, based on results from two sets of two-month data assimilation and forecast experiments. The improvements are largest at shorter lead times, but significant improvements are maintained in the 120-h forecasts for most regions and vertical levels. The improvements result from the combined impact of numerous changes, in addition to the use of 4DEnVar. These include an improved treatment of radiosonde and aircraft observations, an improved radiance bias correction procedure, the assimilation of ground-based GPS data, a doubling of the number of assimilated channels from hyperspectral infrared sounders, and an improved approach for initializing model forecasts. Because of the replacement of 4DVar with 4DEnVar, the new system is also more computationally efficient and easier to parallelize, facilitating a doubling of the analysis increment horizontal resolution. Replacement of a full-field digital filter with the 4D incremental analysis update approach, and the recycling of several key variables that are not directly analyzed significantly reduced the model spinup during both the data assimilation cycle and in medium-range forecasts.

Corresponding author address: Mark Buehner, Meteorological Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Hwy., Dorval QC H9P 1J3, Canada. E-mail: mark.buehner@ec.gc.ca

This article is included in the Sixth WMO Data Assimilation Symposium Special Collection.

Abstract

A major set of changes was made to the Environment Canada global deterministic prediction system during the fall of 2014, including the replacement of four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVar) by four-dimensional ensemble–variational data assimilation (4DEnVar). The new system provides improved forecast accuracy relative to the previous system, based on results from two sets of two-month data assimilation and forecast experiments. The improvements are largest at shorter lead times, but significant improvements are maintained in the 120-h forecasts for most regions and vertical levels. The improvements result from the combined impact of numerous changes, in addition to the use of 4DEnVar. These include an improved treatment of radiosonde and aircraft observations, an improved radiance bias correction procedure, the assimilation of ground-based GPS data, a doubling of the number of assimilated channels from hyperspectral infrared sounders, and an improved approach for initializing model forecasts. Because of the replacement of 4DVar with 4DEnVar, the new system is also more computationally efficient and easier to parallelize, facilitating a doubling of the analysis increment horizontal resolution. Replacement of a full-field digital filter with the 4D incremental analysis update approach, and the recycling of several key variables that are not directly analyzed significantly reduced the model spinup during both the data assimilation cycle and in medium-range forecasts.

Corresponding author address: Mark Buehner, Meteorological Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Hwy., Dorval QC H9P 1J3, Canada. E-mail: mark.buehner@ec.gc.ca

This article is included in the Sixth WMO Data Assimilation Symposium Special Collection.

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