High-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction system for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

During the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, a real-time research demonstration project, sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization, called Forecast and Research in the Olympics Sochi Testbed (FROST-2014), took place. Several countries participated in the experiment which involved a combination of experimental techniques using meteorological observations, numerical weather prediction, and nowcasting. Following from the successful experience during the Vancouver 2010 Games, Environment Canada's Meteorological Research Branch participated in FROST-2014 with high-resolution numerical modelling and nowcasting techniques. The experimental prediction system was composed of a nested set of limited-area domains using the GEM model, with two-moment bulk microphysics scheme and high-resolution domains of 2.5 km, 1 km, and 250 m. An overview of the modelling system will be provided along with the discussion of its performance before and during the Winter Games 2014.