Tests of a global EnKF system with an emphasis on tropical cyclone prediction

We have developed and experimental global Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) data assimilation system that can be used with both the NCEP operational global forecast model and the new icosahedral grid, hybrid isentropic/sigma global model being developed at NOAA/ESRL. A description of the EnKF system will be presented, along with a performance evaluation for both summer and winter conditions. As part of the Hurricane Forecasting Improvement Project (HFIP), we have been running the system at 30 km resolution on the Texas Advanced Computer Center since July of 2009. The performance of the EnKF-initialized ensemble for hurricane track forecasts will be evaluated.