HRRR/Rapid Refresh Assimilation/Modeling improvements for Wind/Solar Energy Guidance

The NOAA 3km hourly-updated HRRR model has become a central source of guidance for renewable energy over the United States and nearby areas. Significant improvements have been made to both assimilation and modeling techniques for the 3-km High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) and 13-km Rapid Refresh models run in experimental real-time mode at NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory and operationally at NOAA/NCEP. Details on these improvements and results in improved wind and solar forecasts will be described. Also, the plan for future HRRR and RAP upgrades including those related to wind and solar forecasts will be described.