NCEP Synergy Meeting Highlights: June
29, 2009
This meeting was led by David Novak
(HPC) and attended by Dan Starosta (NCO), Joe Carr (NCO); Rebecca Cosgrove
(NCO); Eric Rogers (EMC); Yuejian Zhu (EMC); Mary Hart (EMC); Vera Gerald (EMC);
Bill Bua (UCAR/COMET); Stephen Jascourt (UCAR/COMET);Richard Pasch (TPC);
Steve Silberberg (AWC); RussSchneider (SPC); Steve Weiss (SPC); David Bright (SPC);
Joe Sienkiewicz (OPC);Jim Hoke (HPC); Keith Brill (HPC); Kathy Gilbert (MDL);
Andy Edman (WR); David Myrick (WR); Carven Scott (AR); and Bernard Meisner (Southern Region).
1. NCO
Dan
Starosta reported that Stratus was accepted June 29th. NCO is currently moving
dataflow, model code, etc. over to Stratus in the aim of running the production
suite on Stratus the week of July 6th. Stratus is expected to be fully
operational in early to mid August.
Implementations
are planned to occur in the following order:
1) Short-Range Ensemble Forecast system
2) Global Ensemble Forecast System
3) Real-Time Ocean Forecast System
4) Hurricane WRF
A
30 day NCO parallel test will occur in association with the SREF
implementation. Although no significant changes have been made since the last
parallel test in late 2008, SREF will be running on a new operational system
and there was an NDAS bug fix. A new TIN is expected to be distributed. The
previous TIN is at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/tin08-91aaa_sref_upgrade.txt
TPC
asked if the genesis mode (a high-resolution limited area model run over a disturbance
of interest) would be a part of the HWRF
implementation, as well as whether running 5 systems simultaneously would be
possible with the new computer. EMC confirmed that the genesis mode is part of
the implementation and that 5 systems could be run simultaneously with the new
computer. TPC also expressed interest in moving up the priority of the HWRF
implementation such that it could be operational for part of the 2009 hurricane
season. TPC will pursue this request with EMC/NCO.
AWC
asked if TAMDAR data was being used by GDAS/NDAS. The data stream had been
turned off in late 2008. As of June 29, 2009 the TAMDAR contract was renewed,
and NCO is looking into resuming the decoding of the data.
2. NOTES FROM EMC
2a.
Global Climate and Weather Modeling Branch (GCWMB)
No
report.
2b.
Global Ensemble Prediction System
Yuejian
Zhu is testing a parallel GEFS run which increases member resolution from T126
to T190, adds a stochastic perturbation scheme, and uses 8th order horizontal
diffusion for all resolutions. Tests show improved forecast skill and
reliability. Additionally, several new variables will be included in the
“pgrba” files, including 10, 50, and 100 mb level data, surface and top of
atmosphere flux data, and soil data, CIN and et al. This GEFS upgrade is second
in the queue when the computer moratorium is lifted (see above section 1).
Meanwhile,
implementation of additional NAEFS variables is planned for early 2010. This
implementation would include 9 additional near-surface downscaled and
bias-corrected variables (srf pressure, T2m, U10m and V10m, T2mmax, T2mmin,
Wind direction and Wind speed, working on T2m dew point temperature) for CONUS
and
Yuejian
also informed the group that EMC is working with NCO to expand the ECMWF
deterministic, ECMWF wave, and ECMWF ensemble data available to NCEP Centers,
based on previously submitted requirements. The data would represent an
expansion of the number of elements and would be at 1 degree resolution. The
data is sent in grib1 format. NCO will work with the Centers to determine
optimal data formats. There is a potential time delay, and so a trade-off
between number of elements and timeliness may need to be made. EMC/NCO will
keep the group updated on the status of this project.
2c.
Mesoscale Modeling Branch (MMB)
The
SREF implementation is the only remaining MMB implementation for FY09. The
group is close to setting up a National Environmental Modeling System (NEMS) parallel
test. The transition from WRF to running WRF within the NEMS framework will be
a major focus for FY10.
2d.
Marine Modeling and Analysis Branch
The
next planned implementation is the Atlantic RTOFS. This implementation improves
ocean model and assimilation of new satellite data. A recent problem with the
ice analysis provided by the SSMI appears to be corrected. This RTOFS upgrade
is third in the queue when the computer moratorium is lifted (see above section
1).
Recently
there was an instance of erroneous wind values from NDFD which affected the
3. FEEDBACK FROM MDL/OPERATIONAL
CENTERS/REGIONS
3a.
MDL
Nothing to report.
3b.
No issues were brought up by the centers and regions
participating in the call.
4. The next Synergy Meeting will be
held at 2:30 pm EDT on Monday, August 3, 2009 in room 209, with remote
teleconferencing capability.