20th Conference on Weather Analysis and Forecasting/16th Conference on Numerical Weather Prediction

P1.26

A Modification to the Bratseth Method of Successive Corrections for Complex Terrain

David T. Myrick, University of Utah, NOAA/CIRP, Salt Lake City, UT; and J. D. Horel and S. M. Lazarus

An anisotropic term was added to a successive corrections data assimilation system to reduce the influence across mountain barriers of corrections to the background field that are derived from surface observations. A related change was implemented to reduce the influence of observational corrections across coastal zones and land-lake boundaries. These modifications were tested using the Advanced Regional Prediction System Data Assimilation System (ADAS). Sensitivity tests were conducted on a two-dimensional version of ADAS over the northern Rocky Mountains. Additional tests were conducted for a domain that encompasses the entire western United States. The inclusion of the anisotropic term has improved the analysis by constraining the influence of observations in mountain valleys that may differ from the weather conditions present in adjacent valleys. Rather than propagating surface weather conditions laterally through mountains, this constraint assumes that the background field remains the best choice in regions with relatively little data.

extended abstract  Extended Abstract (1.1M)

Poster Session 1, Monday Posters
Monday, 12 January 2004, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Room 4AB

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