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From The Radar-enhanced RUC To The WRF-BASED Rapid Refresh

Abstract

The Rapid Update Cycle (RUC, Benjamin et al. 2004a,b), covering 2/3 of North America, continues to be the only 1-h (hourly updating) assimilation and mesoscale forecast cycle in the world running as part of an operational numerical prediction center (US National Centers for Environmental Prediction - NCEP). RUC prediction grids are used heavily as mesoscale guidance for short-range forecasts, especially for aviation, severe-weather, and situational awareness forecast users. In this report, we summarize both significant changes planned for a RUC upgrade at NCEP later in 2007 and testing and development toward the 2009-planned implementation of the Rapid Refresh (RR), an hourly update analysis/forecast cycle succeeding the RUC. The RR differs from the RUC in using a version of the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model and a version of the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) analysis (used at NCEP), both including RUC-unique enhancements, over an extended North American domain. These modifications and subsequent testing for both RUC changes and RR development are described in this paper.

Article / Publication Data
Active/Online
YES
Available Metadata
Fiscal Year
Published On
June 01, 2007
Type
Event

This publication was presented at the following:

Title
22nd Weather Analysis and Forecasting Conference
Sponsor
American Meteorological Society
Type
Conference presentation

Institutions

Not available

Author

Authors who have authored or contributed to this publication.

  • Tracy L. Smith - Not Positioned Gsl
    Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University
    NOAA/Global Systems Laboratory