Operational evaluation of GEM-LAM 2.5 km and 1.0 km models during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

During the winter of 2010, GEM-LAM 2.5 and 1.0km models with domains specifically designed for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were integrated twice daily, starting at 06 and 15Z for 33 hours for the 2.5km model, and at 11 and 21Z for 19 hours for the 1.0km model. These LAM runs were using initial conditions of the 00Z and 12Z GEM-Regional runs (same day).

This presentation will focus on some specific weather events that challenged these LAM models, and on the input of the Environment Canada forecasters and model developers involved in providing competition venue specific forecasts for the period before and during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games.