Data Assimilation with FIM: results and prospects

FIM (Flow-following Finite-volume Icosahedral Model, http://fim.noaa.gov) is being developed at NOAA/ESRL in Boulder. For the last four years, this global weather prediction model provided real-time forecasts allowing for an extensive evaluation and comparison with other models as FIM development has matured.

Using the FIM model with existing NOAA/NCEP global data assimilation, ESRL has recently implemented a data assimilation system relies on the same components as the GFS model: the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) and a deterministic Ensemble Kalman Filter used in a hybrid mode. In the presentation we will show performance of the system, discuss its shortcomings and outline future development.