Design and Implementation of Medium-Range Weather Forecast Operational System

Abstract

Medium-range weather forecast has been playing an important role in the decision making process of nationwide disaster prevention and mitigation, and assurance of major social activities. Therefore the construction of a medium-range weather forecast platform is the key to improve operation capability and important for decision makers. In response to the demanding requirements of real-time availability and interactive customization of prediction products in current forecast operations, both a desktop client system and web client system have been developed. The two systems share common backend services that offer features including real-time data collection, processing and database management, automatic creation of graphics products, and data statistics calculation. The clients provide a variety of functionalities such as interactive analysis and visualization of atmospheric circulation and observation data, search of history statistical data, etc. Some innovative technologies including organization of ensemble forecast data, concurrent calculation of forecast products, and a united two- and three-dimensional graphics rendering engine are discussed as well. With the application of the platform in daily operations, the abilities of live monitoring, forecast analysis and model output post-processing for disastrous and extreme synoptic processes have been greatly improved thanks to the introduction of brand-new ensemble products and comprehensive customization for data visualization.