A Dynamic Blending Scheme to Mitigate Large‐Scale Bias in Regional Models

Abstract

Abstract Several blending methods have been developed in dynamic downscaling and rapid cycled data assimilation. Blending the large‐scale part of the global model (GM) analysis or forecast has led to improvement in regional model (RM) simulations. However, in previous studies the blended waveband of the GM has generally been determined using a fixed, arbitrarily chosen cutoff wave number. Here we introduce a new dynamic blending (DB) scheme with a dynamic cutoff wave number computed according to the spectral characteristics of GM forecast quality and the spectral distribution of errors in the RM. The DB scheme is described and applied to eight‐day summertime and seven‐day wintertime cycled Weather Research and Forecasting Model forecasts over a regional domain in the continental United States. The scheme can determine a cutoff wave number with significant temporal variations. The temporal variation results from the error growth property of the RM and has a clear diurnal oscillation, suggesting that fewer (more) GM waves should be introduced into the RM at noon (night). The cutoff wave number difference between the two periods indicates seasonal variation of the cutoff wave number with larger day‐to‐day change in winter. Comparison among no blending experiment, two fixed wave number blending experiments, and two DB experiments with and without vertically varying cutoff wave number suggests that the DB scheme with vertically averaged but temporally varying cutoff wave number results in less model bias and less disturbance to the RM dynamic balance. By reducing the forecast background error, the DB scheme can potentially provide improved first guess for a rapid‐update‐cycle weather forecast system.

Keywords

• dynamic blending
• bias
• regional model
• cutoff wave number
• global model