Applying prior correlations for ensemble-based spatial localization

Abstract. Localization is an essential technique for ensemble-based data assimilations (DAs) to reduce sampling errors due to limited ensembles. Unlike traditional distance-dependent localization, the correlation cutoff method (Yoshida and Kalnay, 2018; Yoshida, 2019) tends to localize the observation impacts based on their background error correlations. This method was initially proposed as a variable localization strategy for coupled systems, but it can also can be utilized extensively as a spatial localization. This study introduced and examined the feasibility of the correlation cutoff method as an alternative spatial localization with the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) preliminary on the Lorenz (1996) model. We compared the accuracy of the distance-dependent and correlation-dependent localizations and extensively explored the potential of the hybrid localization strategies. Our results suggest that the correlation cutoff method can deliver comparable analysis to the traditional localization more efficiently and with a faster DA spin-up. These benefits would become even more pronounced under a more complicated model, especially when the ensemble and observation sizes are reduced.