Evaluating Numerical Weather Prediction Models
Thursday, February 6, 2014 - 22:30
in Earth & Climate
How are accurate are the world's most advanced weather forecasting models? They perform okay, at least when it comes to predicting the very near future. Two University of Iowa researchers, David Lavers and Gabriele Villarini, evaluated rainfall forecasts from eight different global numerical weather prediction (NWP) models and their ability to predict the Sept. 9th-16th, 2013 extreme rainfall that caused severe flooding in Boulder, Colorado. During September of 2013, Boulder County and surrounding areas experienced severe flooding and heavy rain resulting in fatalities, the loss of homes and businesses, and the declaration of a major disaster. read more