Introduction to SWAN System and Its Application

In 2008, CMA has launched a campaign on the development of its first version of integrated nowcasting system SWAN (Severe Weather Automatic Nowcast system). This currently-developed nowcast system aims at providing an integrated, state-of-the-art and swift severe weather nowcast platform that is suitable to operational applications. SWAN ingests data from China's new generation radars, automatic weather station, satellite, and mesoscale numerical weather prediction model. It offers a tool for severe weather monitoring, analysis, warning and prediction. The current version of SWAN system provides a software package that integrates a series of nowcast algorithms and functions, including 3D radar mosaic, Storm identification, tracking and prediction, quantitative precipitation estimate, short-range quantitative precipitation forecast, real time forecast verification, severe weather warning, and interactive forecast preparedness. The system has deployed in China early Spring in 2009. CMA plan to upgrade SWAN with more algorithms and functions in 2010.