Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model - adv
Transcription
Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model - adv
Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ doi:10.5194/adgeo-23-93-2010 © Author(s) 2010. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Advances in Geosciences Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus K. Savvidou1 , K. Lagouvardos2 , S. Michaelides1 , V. Kotroni2 , and P. Constantinides1 1 Meteorological 2 National Service, Nicosia, Cyprus Observatory of Athens, Athens, Greece Received: 24 March 2009 – Revised: 26 August 2010 – Accepted: 10 September 2010 – Published: 4 October 2010 Abstract. The purpose of this study is the verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus. The verification period spans from 1 January 2007 till 31 December 2007 and the parameters studied are: temperature, wind and precipitation. The model forecasts are compared to the observations recorded at three locations on the island, where Automatic Weather Observing Systems are operated by the Meteorological Service of Cyprus, namely, those of Larnaka and Paphos Airports and at Athalassa. The statistical analysis includes calculation of the mean error, the mean absolute error and the standard deviation. Based on the construction of a contingency table, the probability of detection of a precipitation event and the false alarm rate are calculated. Finally, an example of BOLAM forecasts for a case study of a low pressure affecting Cyprus during winter is presented and discussed. 1 Introduction In the framework of the INTERREG RISKMED project (Weather Risk Reduction In The Mediterranean), the Cyprus Meteorological Service implemented the hydrostatic model BOLAM (Bologna Limited Area Model) as the core forecast tool, in order to provide weather risk predictions over the area of Cyprus, including its maritime region. BOLAM weather forecast outputs are used in order to provide warnings for high impact weather (high and low temperatures, strong winds, heavy precipitation, etc.) through a dedicated early warning system. In the framework of this project, oneyear verification of BOLAM forecasts is performed, in order to quantitatively estimate forecast errors. In this manner, the model’s forecast skill is tested as a scaled representation of Correspondence to: K. Savvidou ([email protected]) the forecast accuracy with reference to observed conditions. The verification is performed using ground weather stations across Cyprus, while a specific case-study with heavy precipitation over the island is investigated in more detail. The paper is organized as follows: Sect. 2 provides a short description of BOLAM model, as well as a description of the verification method and data used. Section 3 provides verification results for temperature, wind and precipitation; Sect. 4 presents the case-study analysis. Finally, conclusions are drawn in Sect. 5. 2 BOLAM model, verification data and methodology The BOLAM model used in this study is described in Buzzi et al. (1994, 1997, 1998) and Buzzi and Foschini (2000). It is a hydrostatic model on an Arakawa C grid (rotated lat.-lon. coordinates) and uses σ vertical coordinates. BOLAM uses an explicit microphysical scheme with two water and three ice species (Schultz, 1995), as well as the convective parameterization scheme proposed by Kain and Fritsch (1993), with implementation of the modifications suggested by Spencer and Stensrud (1998), regarding the delay of downdrafts in newly developed convection. For the operational implementation of BOLAM at the Cyprus Meteorological Service, two grids are used: – The coarse grid consisting of 135 × 110 points with a 0.21◦ horizontal grid interval (∼23 km), covering the area of the Eastern Mediterranean, – The fine grid, consisting of 130 × 140 points with 0.07◦ horizontal grid interval (∼7 km), covering the area of Cyprus and the adjacent seas. In the vertical, 30 levels are used in the coarse grid and 40 levels in the fine grid, with model top at about 10 hPa. The nesting of the inner grid starts at t + 6, based on boundary conditions provided by BOLAM outer grid at 2 h interval. Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 3 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 -2.0 Mean Error (kt) T+ 72 T+ 66 T+ 60 T+ 54 T+ 48 T+ 42 T+ 36 T+ 30 T+ 24 T+ 18 Wind Speed ME for warm months -4.0 -5.0 Lead time LARNAKA ATHALASSA T+ 72 T+ 66 T+ 60 T+ 54 T+ 48 T+ 42 T+ 36 T+ 30 T+ 24 T+ 18 T+ 12 1.5 0.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 -1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.5 -2.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 -1.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 -1.0 -3.0 -1.5 -2.0 -2.0 -4.0 -2.5 -3.0 -3.0 Lead Time 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 -2.0 -2.5 -3.0 PAPHOS LARNAKA PAPHOS (a) Lead time ( b )LARNAKA WindATHALASSA Speed ME for warm monthsPAPHOS ATHALASSA (b) (c) Fig.-1.01.T+12 Wind verification: Error for th T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48(a) T+54 Mean T+60 T+66 T+72 months, and (c) Mean Error for the warm months. -2.0 1.0 0.0 -3.0 -4.0 -5.0 -5.0 (a) Mean Error (kt) 1.0 -4.0 3.1 PAPHOS (a) -3.0 Results LARNAKA Wind Speed Mean Wind Speed ME for coldError months Mean Error (kt) Mean Error (kt) (kts) Mean Error T+ 72 T+ 66 T+ 60 T+ 54 T+ 48 T+ 42 T+ 36 T+ 30 T+ 24 T+ 18 T+ 12 -1.0 ATHALASSA Mean Error (kt) Mean Error (kt) Mean Error (kts) the Airports of Larnaka (33.37◦ E, 34.52◦ N) and Paphos (32.49◦ E, 34.72◦ N) which are coastal stations, and at Atha◦ lassa (33.4◦ E, 35.1 which is anError inland station with eleWindN), Speed Mean vation 162 m a.m.s.l. (above mean sea level). For the temperature1.0and the wind speed, the observed values were compared 0.0 the fine grid forecast values at 11 lead times: T + 12, against -1.0 T + 18, T + 24, . . . , T + 72, for the entire 2007. The forecast-2.0 values are selected from the nearest to the stations land grid-3.0 box of the model. The Mean Error (ME), the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and their respective standard deviations -4.0 were calculated for the whole year, but also separately for Lead Time the cold and warm months of the year. For thePAPHOS precipitation, ATHALASSA LARNAKA the comparison was performed through the use of the daily recorded precipitation amounts (a) at the three stations and of BOLAM fine grid forecasts, averaged over the 5 grid boxes Wind Speed ME for warm months in cross arrangement around each station. The ‘probability of detection’ (POD) and the “false alarm rate” (FAR) for four 1.0 precipitation thresholds: 1, 5, 10 and 20 mm for 2007 were 0.0 calculated. T+ 12 Mean Error (kts) Larnaka reveals that the maximum values areskill again lead which correspond does notat decrease with forecast lead time tonoted local noon and thetimes values are higher during the w to local noon and the values are higher during the warmtomonths, aroundof 4kt. can to be predic period. attributed the weakness theThis model attributed to the weakness of etthe model toof Similar predict diurnal cycle the seaof breeze. results concerning the 94 K. Savvidou al.: Verification the BOLAMthe weather prediction modelof over themagnitude area Cyprus of wind Similar results concerning the magnitude of wind forecast were alsoverification found by of BO Lagouvardos et al.errors (2003) for the The orography fields are derived from a terrain data file with Speed Mean Error Lagouvardos et al. (2003) for the verification of BOLAMWind model over Greece. 1.5 30 arc s resolution provided by the US Geological Survey 1.0 1.0 The MAE and the Standard Deviation (STDEV (USGS). 0.5 0.0 0.0 The and boundary for BOLAM outer domain(STDEV) Theinitial MAE and thedata Standard Deviation ofstations the MEand have aall similar behavior inFigs.-0.5 all three for lead times (see 2 -1.0 are provided by the operational global model GFS, at 6-h -1.0 allintervals. three The stations and for all lead times (see Figs.-2.02a, 2b). are found at andThe the lowest highestvalues at Larnaka. Furthermore -1.5 duration of the simulations is 72 h, initialized Athalassa Athalassa andthethe at Larnaka. Furthermore, should be noted the forecast skill-3.0doesit not decrease withthat forecast lead time -2.0 w every day using 00:00highest UTC GFS data. -2.5 -3.0 parameters are verifiedwith are the forecast temperature, lead wind time skillThedoes not that decrease -4.0within the 72 hours of the simulation period. speed and precipitation. The observations are provided Lead Time period. by three automatic weather observing stations located at Lead time Wind speed Lead time ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS (c) PAPHOS The forecast skillATHALASSA of the modelLARNAKA for the wind is good (see (c) error for the year, (b) mean Fig. 1. Wind verification: (a) mean Fig. 1a) and especially for Athalassa, where ME is less than error for cold months, and (c) mean error for the warm months. 1. theWind verification: (a) Mean Error for th 1kt for all the lead times (1 kt(c) = 0.514 m/s). At Paphos and Fig. Larnaka, the model underestimates the speed Error at all months, Fig. 1. Wind verification: (a)wind Mean for the and year,(c)(b) Mean Error for warm the cold Mean Error for the months. lead times with ME exhibiting a diurnal cycle. The highmonths, and (c) Mean Error for the warm months. Lagouvardos et al. (2003) for the verification of BOLAM est underestimation is found at lead times which correspond model over Greece. at 12:00 UTC; less than 2 kt for Paphos and around 3 kt for The MAE and the Standard Deviation (STDEV) of the ME Larnaka. The seasonal verification (Fig. 1b and c) of the have a similar behavior in all three stations and for all lead model reveals that at Athalassa the wind speed is overestitimes (see Fig. 2a and b). The lowest values are found at mated during the cold months (with ME values lower than Athalassa and the highest at Larnaka. Furthermore, it should 1 kt) and is underestimated during the warm months (when be noted that the forecast skill does not decrease with forecast the ME reaches its maximum values, around 2.5 kt) at lead lead time within the 72 h of the simulation period. times which correspond at 18:00 UTC. The seasonal pattern of ME at Larnaka reveals that the maximum values are noted 3.2 Temperature again at lead times which correspond to local noon and the values are higher during the warm months, around 4 kt. This The temperature is underestimated by the model in all three can be attributed to the weakness of the model to predict the stations and at all lead times (Fig. 3a). A 24-h cyclic behavior diurnal cycle of the sea breeze. Similar results concerning is noted for forecast lead times of the second and third day the magnitude of wind forecast errors were also found by Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ Athalassa and Larnaka is overestimated during night a LARNAKA PAPHOS ATHALASSA ATHALASSA (a) LARNAKA LARNAKA Temperature Mean Error PAPHOS PAPHOS (a) (a) Temperature Mean Error for Cold months Temperature Mean Error Wind Speed STDEV of ME 1.0 2.0 (a) (b) 0.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 2.0 1.0 and (b) Standard -1.0 Fig. deviation of the 0.04.02. Wind verification: (a) Mean Absolute Error, 1.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 0.0 0.0 -2.0 -1.0 3.0 error. Mean -1.0 T+12 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66T+66 T+72T+72 T+12 T+18 T+18T+24 T+24T+30 T+30T+36 T+36T+42 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 Mean Error STDEV of ME Mean Erron Mean ErrorError Mean 1.05.0 -2.02.0 -3.01.0 3.2 0.0 Temperature -4.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 Lead Time Lead time T+72 -3.0 -1.0 -2.0 -3.0 -4.0 -2.0 -4.0 -5.0 -3.0 -6.0 2. Temperature Mean Error for Warm months 1. Mean Error ATHALASSA Mean Error MAE Mean Error STDEV of ME The temperature is underestimated bythe thewarm modelmon in largest underestimation is found during 4(Fig. The temperature is underestimated by the model in all three stations and at all lead times A 24-h again cyclicatbehavior is noted for forec which3a). correspond 0600UTC. K. Savvidou et al.: Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus 95 (Fig. 3a). A 24-h cyclic behavior is noted for day forecast times ofperiod. the second andfirst third of thelead simulation For the 3 lead tim day of the simulation period. For the first 3 lead times, ME isskill lessisthan or equal to 1K. and the The best the forecast found at Athalassa Wind Speed STDEV of ME Wind Speed Mean Absolute Error Temperature Mean Error The best forecast skill is found at Athalassa and the worst Paphos. The highest values of theat ME are found at leadabsolute times which co 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0 values of the ME are found at lead times which correspond the lowest absolute valuesat 0600UTC are found and during nighttime1.0 (1 4.0 4.0 0.0 absolute values are found during nighttime (1800 and 0000UTC). verification reveals (see Figs.The 3b, seasonal 3c) that during 0.0 3.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 3.0 -1.0 T+ verification reveals (see Figs. 3b, 3c) that during the cold months, the temperature at Athalassa and Larnaka is overestimated during nigh 2.0 2.0 -1.0 -2.0 1.0 and 1.0 Athalassa and Larnaka is overestimated duringlargest night underestimated duringduring day. The underestimation is found the warm -3.0 -2.0 m 0.0 0.0 -4.0 -3.0 largest underestimation is found during the warm months at Larnaka at lead times which correspond again(4-5K) at 0600UTC. T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 Lead Time 4 which correspond againLeadattime 0600UTC. Lead time 0. -1. -2. -3. Lead Time ATHALASSALead time LARNAKA PAPHOS Mean Error Mean Erron Mean Error not decrease within the 72-h duration of the simulation. Lead Time The underestimation of the temperature by the model can ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS be attributed to the weakness of the model to predict the daily superadiabatic warming (a) especially during summer and the Temperature Mean Error for Cold months radiation cooling during winter, since the model produces Mean Error Warm months forecasts for the temperature at for 2 m. Also, the largest un2.0 Temperature derestimation which is noted at 06:00 UTC can be associated 2.01.0 with the time lag of the model in predicting the transition Mean Erron Mean Error +66 T+72 Mean Erron Lead time The temperature is underestimated by the model in all three stations and at all lead times ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS (b) ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS (a) ofLARNAKA ATHALASSA PAPHOS (Fig. 3a). A 24-h cyclic behavior is noted(b)for forecast lead times the second and third (a) period. For the first 3 lead times, (b)forthan Temperature Mean Warmor months day of the simulation the ME less equal to 1K. ( is c)Error Fig. 2. Wind verification: (a) mean absolute error, and (b) standard Temperature Mean Error for Warm months deviation the mean Fig.the 3. Temperature verification: (a) Mean Error for th The bestofforecast worst at Paphos. The highest absolute (b)error.skill is found at Athalassa and 2.0 1.0 months, and (c) Mean Error for and the warm months. of the are found at lead correspond at 0600UTC the lowest solute values Error, and (b)ME Standard deviation of times the which 2.0 0.0 1.0 T+12 T+18and T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 absolute values are found during nighttime -1.0 (1800 0000UTC). The seasonal -2.0 of0.0the simulation period. For the first 3 lead times, the ME -1.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 verification reveals Figs. 3b,skill3c) that during the cold months, the temperature at -3.0 is less than or equal to 1 K.(see The best forecast is found -2.0 -4.0 at and the worst at Paphos. The highest absolute -3.0Athalassa and Athalassa Larnaka is overestimated during night and underestimated during day. The -5.0 -4.0 values of the ME are found at lead times which correspond -6.0 largest underestimation is found during the warm months at Larnaka (4-5K) at lead times -5.0 at 06:00 UTC and the lowest absolute values are found durLead time -6.0 which correspond at 0600UTC. ing in nighttime (18:00 stations andagain 00:00 UTC). The seasonal the model all three and at all leadverificatimes Lead time ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS tion reveals (see Fig. 3b and c) that during the cold months, (c) oted for forecast lead times of the second and third the temperatureATHALASSA at Athalassa LARNAKA and LarnakaPAPHOS is overestimated (Mean c) Error(a)formean verification: for the year, rst 3 leadduring times, ME is less during than or equal to un1K. Fig. 3. Temperature Temperature Colderror months nightthe and underestimated day. The largest Temperature Mean Error (b) mean error for the cold months, and (c) mean error forMean the warmError for ( c) Fig. 3. Temperature verification: (a) derestimation is found during the warm months at Larnaka lassa and the worst at Paphos. The highest absolute months.2.0 K) at lead times which correspond again at 06:00 UTC. Fig.(4–5 3.1.0correspond Temperature verification: (a) Mean Error for theand year, Mean Error coldmonths. months, (c)(b) Mean Error forfor thethe warm mes which at 0600UTC and the lowest 1.0 The temperature MAE (Fig. 4a) has a periodical behav0.0 months, and (c) Mean Error for the warm months. T+12 T+18 T+30 T+36 T+48 T+54atT+60 T+66 T+72 nighttime (1800 and 0000UTC). The seasonal ior-1.0 with peaks at T+24 06:00 UTC andT+42 low points 18:00 UTC. 0.0 time between the nocturnal katabatic wind to the daily preThe highest values are found at coastal stations. The STDEV T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 ) that during the cold months, the temperature at -1.0wind, but this must be examined in a future study. -2.0 vailing of ME (Fig. 4b) follows a similar behavior, but the lowest d duringvalues night underestimated day.Once The -3.0 forand -2.0 the coastal stations are foundduring at 00:00 UTC. 3.3 Precipitation more, the verification has shown that the forecast skill does -4.0 -3.0 g the warm months at Larnaka (4-5K) at lead times 1.0 0.0 0.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 -1.0 -1.0 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ -2.0 -2.0 -3.0 -4.0 -3.0 -5.0 Lead time Lead time The results of the calculations of POD and FAR for the four ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS precipitation thresholds are shown in Table 1. As it was expected, as the precipitation threshold (b) increases, the POD decreases, except at Larnaka where, an increase in POD is noted from 5mm to 10 mm. At Larnaka, the POD is higher than the other two stations for almost all the precipitation thresholds. The lowest FAR is found at Athalassa (13% Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 ME (Fig. 4b) follows a similar behavior, but the lowest values for the coastal stations are found at 0000UTC. Once more, the verification has shown that the forecast skill does not 96 K. Savvidou et al.:of Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus decrease within the 72-h duration the simulation. Table 1. POD and FAR for the three stations and fortemperature the four preTable The ME and MAEcan for the hit The underestimation of the by 2.the model beevents. attributed to the 5 cipitation thresholds. weakness of the model to predict the daily superadiabaticAthalassa warming especially during Larnaka Paphos summer and the radiation cooling during winter, sinceMEthe model produces forecasts for 1.1 1.2 0.8 Precipitation Athalassa Larnaka Paphos MAEwhich 4.3 is noted 3.9 at 0600UTC 4.1 the Thresholds temperature atwith 2m.peaks Also, largest underestimation can as a periodical behavior atthe 0600UTC and POD FAR POD FAR POD FAR (mm) (%) lag (%) (%) model (%) ofin predicting the transition time between the with(%)the time of STDEV the values be areassociated found at (%) coastal stations. The 1 88 48 wind 91 33 katabatic to 43the daily prevailing wind, but this must be examined in a or, butnocturnal the lowest values for the96 coastal stations are 5 67 50 80 48 81 19 future 64 that 13 the forecast 89 38 skill56does 31 not erification has10study. shown 20 40 33 60 40 50 80 he simulation. Temperature STDEV of ME STDEV of ME Mean Absolute Error perature by the model can be Temperature MAE attributed to the he daily superadiabatic warming especially during 5.0 ring winter, 4.0 since the model produces forecasts for 3.0 est underestimation which is noted at 0600UTC can 2.0 model in predicting the transition time between the 1.0 y prevailing wind, but this must be examined in a 0.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 (a) T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 T+12 T+18 T+24 T+30 T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+60 T+66 T+72 Lead time Lead time ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS ATHALASSA (a) LARNAKA PAPHOS (a) (b) Fig.3.54. Temperature verification: (a) MAE, and (b) STDEV of ME. STDEV of ME Temperature STDEV of ME 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 3.3. Precipitation (b) Fig. 5. (a) 500 hPa geopotential height analysis at 12:00 UTC, T+12 T+18of T+24 T+30calculations T+36 T+42 T+48 T+54 T+66 T+72 The results the ofT+60POD and FAR for the four precipitation thresholds are 3 February 2007. (b) Mean sea level pressure analysis at Lead time shown in Table 1. As it was expected, as the 12:00 precipitation increases, the POD UTC, 3 Februarythreshold 2007. ATHALASSA LARNAKA PAPHOS decreases, except at Larnaka where, an increase in POD is noted from 5mm to 10mm. At (b) 4 A case-study: a depression that affected Cyprus on Larnaka, the POD is (a) higher than the other two 3stations for almost all the precipitation Fig. 4. Temperature verification:(b) MAE, and (b) STDEV of ME. February 2007 thresholds. Theoflowest MAE, and (b) STDEV ME. FAR is found at Athalassa (13% for the 10mm threshold) and at On 3 February 2007, a diffluent upper- level trough assoPaphos (19% for the 5mm threshold). for the 10 mm threshold) and at Paphos (19% for the 5 mm 6 T+72 ciated with a deep surface low (998 hPa) centered south of threshold). Cyprus (see Fig. 5a and b) affected the area. In 12 h, it moved It is also interesting to present the results of the ME and to thefor east,the leaving theprecipitation area in a northwestthresholds. flow (not shown). Table 1. POD and FAR for the three stations and four MAE for the hit events (forecast and observed) which are This well organized frontal depression resulted in high accushown in Table 2. mulation precipitation amounts, as shown in Fig. 6 (there is values the ME and MAE are similar inAthalassa all three accessibility toPaphos measurements in the north part of the isD and FARThefor theoffour precipitation thresholds are noLarnaka stations, indicating that there is not an area-dependent bias land). In the southeast part of the island, the daily recorded Precipitation d, as the ofprecipitation threshold increases, the POD the model in forecasting precipitation over the domain of precipitation reached 160 mm. At Larnaka, the recorded prePOD FAR POD FAR POD FAR Thresholds n increase in POD is noted from 5mm to 10mm. At cipitation simulation. between 15:00 and 18:00 UTC was 35.2 mm. In order to evaluate the model’s skill in predicting the depres(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (mm) other two stations for almost all the precipitation sions that affected the area of Cyprus, a first comparison is at Athalassa (13% for the 10mm threshold) and at performed between the actual surface charts and the 500 hPa 1 88 48 isobaric 96 surface 43 with 91 the model’s 33 forecasts. 5 67 50 Adv. for Geosci., 93–100, 2010 tations and the23, four precipitation thresholds. 10 64 13 20 40 33 thalassa Larnaka Paphos 80 89 60 48 38 40 81 56 50 19 www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ 31 80 forecast surface low is very close to the actual one. It can be stated here that the model was able to catch the evolution of the surface and upper air patterns, two days before the synoptic event. K. Savvidou et al.: Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus 97 Fig. 6. The area averaged precipitation for 3 February 2007. Fig. 6.The area averaged precipitation for 3 February 2007. 5 Conclusions The BOLAM coarse grid forecasts are shown in Fig. 7. The T + 60 forecast of the 500 hPa geopotential height Accumulated precipitation maps, provided by BOLAM fine grid, are shown in Fig. 8 Verification of model outputs is an important component in (Fig. 7a) and of mean sea level pressure (Fig. 7b), valid at (first day of simulation). An examination of theforecasting, maps shows good results as farthat as the the conweather as it is through this phase 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007, show the trough positioned location of the precipitation is concerned, with precipitation amounts exceeding 40mm fidence to an operational model is built. The Cyprus Meteomore to the east, with respect to the verifying analysis (shown 3 hours southernover Cyprus 0900 and 1200UTC (Fig. 8a) laterthat over rological Service verifies the limited areaand models it runs in Fig. 5a), whilewithin the surface lowover is predicted the between thethecentral the island. The for the (see third day ofetsimulation were operationally Orphanou al., 2006); this is thequite first time northeastern part of island, part with of a central pressure of results satisfactory, concerns the(shown location ofthat precipitation the is predicted amount wasofvery the BOLAMbut model verified over the area Cyprus. ∼1002 hPa, 4 hPa shallower than as theitreal conditions In thisday study, year of BOLAM model forecasts over the 15mmofwithin 3 hours. For the of one simulation, the forecast output was in Fig. 5b). The T +low; 36 forecasts the same fields (shown in second area of over Cyprus verified by comparing theisland. model output Fig. 7c and d), depict a small scale cut-of low at thewas 500predicted hPa totally wrong; precipitation only theare northernmost part of the with the observations at three main locations over the island. level which is not evident in the analysis chart, while the low The verified parameters are temperature, wind speed and prepressure at the surface is to the west with respect to its real 5 Conclusions cipitation. The verification was performed using data for the position, but once more about 2 hPa shallower than the actual year 2007. low. Finally, the T + 12 forecast (Fig. 7e and f) reproduces Verification of model outputs is an important component in weather forecasting, as it is well the structure at the 500 hPa level, and the forecast surVerification of the wind speed has shown that the best perthrough this phase that the confidence to an operational model is built. The Cyprus face low is very close to the actual one. It can be stated here formance is found at Athalassa, the inland station, with ME Service of verifies the limited area models that it runs operationally (see that the model was Meteorological able to catch the evolution the surface less than 1 kt. The seasonal verification reveals higher ME Orphanou et al., 2006); this is the first time that BOLAM and upper air patterns, two days before the synoptic event. during thethe warm months, model around is 2.5verified kt at leadover timesthe which area of Cyprus. In this study, one year of BOLAM model forecasts over the area ofwind Accumulated precipitation maps, provided by BOLAM correspond at 18:00 UTC. Over the coastal stations, the Cyprus verified comparingAnthe model output with the observations three main fine grid, are shown in Fig. are 8 (first day ofby simulation). speed is underestimated, with the highestatME around 4 kt at island. The parameters temperature, wind speed andOverexamination of the locations maps showsover good the results as far as the verified loLarnaka during are the warm months and at 12:00 UTC. cation of the precipitation is concerned, with precipitation all, theusing skill of the for model of the wind speed is very precipitation. The verification was performed data theforecasts year 2007. amounts exceeding 40 mm within 3 h over southern Cyprus good. between 09:00 and 12:00 UTC (Fig. 8a) the has shown The temperature generally underestimated by the at model Verification of and the later windover speed that theisbest performance is found central part of the island. The results for the third day of simexcept during nighttime and during the cold months at Athalassa, the inland station, with ME less than 1kt. The seasonal verification revealsAthaulation were quite satisfactory, it concerns location of lassa and2.5kt Larnaka. Thetimes absolute values of ME are at higher higher MEasduring the the warm months, around at lead which correspond precipitation but the predicted amount was very low; 15 mm during the warm months and during daytime. The highest within 3 h. For the second day of simulation, the forecast absolute values are found at 06:00 UTC at Larnaka, being output was totally wrong; precipitation was predicted only around 4–5 K. The highest absolute values during the cold over the northernmost part of the island. months are noted at 06:00 UTC at Paphos, being around 3 K. The forecast skill of the model in predicting precipitation is better at Larnaka for all the precipitation thresholds, as the values of POD are higher than the values for the other two www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 98 K. Savvidou et al.: Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Fig. 7. (a) T + 60 500 hPa geopotential height, verifying at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (b) T + 60 mean sea level pressure, verifying at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (c) T + 36 500 hPa geopotential height, verifying at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (d) T + 36 mean sea level pressure, verifying at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (e) T + 12 500 hPa geopotential height, verifying at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (f) T + 12 mean sea level pressure, verifying at 12:00 UT, 3 February 2007. Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ K. Savvidou et al.: Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus 99 (a) (b) (c) (d) Fig. 8. (a) 3-h accumulated precipitation, ending at 12:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (b) 3-h accumulated precipitation, ending at 15:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (c) 3-h accumulated precipitation, ending at 18:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. (d) 3-h accumulated precipitation, ending at 21:00 UTC, 3 February 2007. stations. Meanwhile, the values of FAR for the two higher precipitation thresholds are lower at Athalassa than at the other two stations. Finally, the analysis of a specific case study, showed the ability of the model to provide accurate forecasts for events producing high-impact weather. It is in the authors’ plans to continue the verification of the model for a longer period and to extend the verification to the warnings provided by BOLAM. (ISAC-CNR, Italy) and his help during the implementation of the model at the Cyprus Meteorological Service. The authors are also grateful to the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (USA) for providing GFS initial and forecast field data which allow the operational use of meteorological models at the Cyprus Meteorological Service. Edited by: K. Nicolaides and A. Orphanou Reviewed by: S. Davolio and F. Tymvios Acknowledgements. This work was carried out as part of the RISKMED project which was co-funded by the European Union (INTERREG IIIB) and the Government of Cyprus. The authors acknowledge the provision of BOLAM model by Andrea Buzzi www.adv-geosci.net/23/93/2010/ Adv. Geosci., 23, 93–100, 2010 100 K. 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