Skip to main content
Log in

Scientific design and preliminary results of three-dimensional variational data assimilation system of GRAPES

  • Articles/Atmospheric Sciences
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

The scientific design and preliminary results of the data assimilation component of the Global-Regional Prediction and Assimilation System (GRAPES) recently developed in China Meteorological Administration (CMA) are presented in this paper. This is a three-dimensional variational (3DVar) assimilation system set up on global and regional grid meshes favorable for direct assimilation of the space-based remote sensing data and matching the frame work of the prediction model GRAPES. The state variables are assumed to decompose balanced and unbalanced components. By introducing a simple transformation from the state variables to the control variables with a recursive or spectral filter, the convergence rate of iteration for minimization of the cost function in 3DVar is greatly accelerated. The definition of dynamical balance depends on the characteristic scale of the circulation considered. The ratio of the balanced to the unbalanced parts is controlled by the prescribed statistics of background errors. Idealized trials produce the same results as the analytic solution. The results of real data case studies show the capability of the system to improve analysis compared to the traditional schemes. Finally, further development of the system is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Xue J S. Progresses of researches on numerical weather prediction in China: 1999–2002. Adv Atmos Sci, 2004, 21: 467–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Cote J, Gravel S, Patonie A, et al. The operational CMC-MRB global environmental multiscale (GEM) model. Part 1: Design considerations and formulation. Mon Weather Rev, 1998, 126: 1373–1395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Davies T, Cullen M, Malcolm A, et al. A new dynamical core for the Met Office’s global and regional modeling of the atmosphere, Q J R Meteorol Soc, 2005, 131: 1759–1782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Eyre J R, Kelly G A, McNally A P, et al. Assimilation of TOVS radiance information through one-dimensional variational analysis. Q J R Meteorol Soc, 1993, 119: 1427–1463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lorenc A. Analysis methods for numerical weather prediction. Q J R Meteorol Soc, 1986, 112: 1177–1194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ido K, Coutier P, Ghil M, et al. Unified notation for data assimilation: operational, sequential and variational. J Meteor Soc Jpn, 1997, 75: 181–189

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhuang Z R, Xue J S, Zhu Z S, et al. Application of nonlinear balance scheme in three-dimensional variational data assimilation (in Chinese). Acta Meteorol Sin, 2006, 64(2): 137–148

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hollinsworth A, Lonnberg P. The statistical structure of short-range forecast errors as determined from radiosonde data. Part 1 and Part 2. Tellus, 1986, 38A: 111–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Franke R. Three dimensional covariance functions for NOGAPS data. Mon Weather Rev, 1999, 127: 2293–2308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Parrish D F, Derber J C. The national meteorological center’s spectral statistical interpolation analysis system. Mon Weather Rev, 1992, 120: 1743–1763

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zhuang Z R, Xue J S, Zhuang S Y, et al. A study of the statistical analysis of the geopotential height background errors in the data assimilation (in Chinese). Chin J Atmos Sci, 2006, 30(3): 533–544

    Google Scholar 

  12. Holm E V. Revision of the ECMWF humidity analysis: Construction of a Gaussian control variable. In: ECMWF Workshop Proceedings: ECMWF/GEWEX Workshop on Humidity Analysis, 2002. 1–6

  13. Boer G J. Homogeneous and isotropic turbulence on the sphere. J Atmos Sci, 1983, 40: 154–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lorenc A C. Iterative analysis using covariance functions and filters. Q J R Meteorol Soc, 1992, 118: 569–591

    Google Scholar 

  15. Navon I M, David M L. Conjugate gradient methods for large scale minimization in meteorology. Mon Weather Rev, 1987, 115: 1479–1502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhuang S Y, Xue J S, Zhu G F, et al. GRAPES Global 3D-Var systembasic scheme design and single observation test (in Chinese). Chin J Atmos Sci, 2005, 29(6): 872–884

    Google Scholar 

  17. Zhang H, Xue J S, Zhuang S Y, et al. Ideal experiments of GRAPES three-dimensional variational data assimilation system (in Chinese). Acta Meteorol Sin, 2004, 62: 31–41

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zhuang H, Xue J S, Zhu G F, et al. Application of direct assimilation of ATOVS microwave radiances to typhoon track prediction. Adv Atmos Sci, 2004, 21: 283–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to JiShan Xue.

Additional information

Supported by Key Technologies Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2001BA607B and 2001BA607B02) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40518001)

About this article

Cite this article

Xue, J., Zhuang, S., Zhu, G. et al. Scientific design and preliminary results of three-dimensional variational data assimilation system of GRAPES. Chin. Sci. Bull. 53, 3446–3457 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0416-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0416-0

Keywords

Navigation