RT-FDDA: Real-Time Four-Dimensional Data Assimilation
The RT-FDDA system was developed to provide high-resolution short-term analyses/forecasts (0-12 h). However, recent advances in computing power have allowed for a much longer forecast cycle; up to 36 h at current operational sites given the present grid and model physics configuration. In contrast, the twice-daily MM5 runs were specifically designed to provide long term forecasts (24-48 h).
RT-FDDA employs a time-continuous assimilation of a variety of synoptic and asynoptic observation data including:
These data sets have time frequencies varying from 5 min to 3 h, and are assimilated into the RT-FDDA system at their particular valid time.
By comparison, the twice-daily MM5 forecasts are limited to incorporating those observation data available at the synoptic times. These data are only used to improve the first guess at the initial time of the forecast cycle. Therefore, the twice-daily MM5 forecasts have a strong dependence on errors in the first guess. However, because the RT-FDDA cycles execute over a long period of time , errors can accumulate in regions without much data, although we have not observed major problems in this regard.
RT-FDDA analyses/forecasts do not generally suffer from model 'spin up' issues. Thus at any time, the RT-FDDA forecasts contain realistic and detailed mesoscale atmospheric structures, including cloud and precipitation systems, and local thermally-forced circulations. It should be noted that RT-FDDA does not assimilate cloud/precipitation data. The diagnosed cloud and precipitation systems in the analysis cycles result from the vertical motion and humidity assimilated from the available data.
The twice-daily MM5 forecasts, by comparison, are initialized using a 'cold start' methodology. This means that they start with no cloud and precipitation systems, or local thermally-driven circulations. Therefore, a certain amount of model 'spin up' time is required for the atmosphere, as it is represented by the MM5, to begin responding to the mesoscale forcing resulting from variations in the local complex physiography.
In summary, the characteristics of the RT-FDDA system generally contribute to a superior analysis/forecast compared to the twice daily MM5 forecast system. However, the advantages of RT-FDDA over the MM5 tend to decrease as the length of the forecast increases. This is principally due to the fact that the lateral boundary conditions employed by the MM5 and RT-FDDA systems are quite similar, and tend to have a stronger influence as the forecast length increases.
It is also worth noting that the RT-FDDA system performs 8 analysis/forecast cycles per day. Thus the WSMR and YPG RT-FDDA systems execute a 36 h forecast every three wall-clock hours, and the current DPG system executes a 12 h forecast in that same time frame. After the Olympics, DPG will receive a more powerful cluster, which will allow the execution of longer (~36 h) forecasts.
Lastly, the RT-FDDA system is temporarily employing a simple surface energy physics package. However, the RT-FDDA development team is busily working toward coupling Oregon State University land surface model (OSU LSM) to system.
Upgrade of the RTFDDA modeling at WSMR and YPG
The new system incorporates many recent research/test results by the NCAR RTFDDA developers. Some major improvements are listed as following: