What is it about?
NOAA merges atmospheric observations (and even some for the land surface) every hour into the Rapid Refresh (13km) over N. America. The same techniques are used for the 3-km HRRR (High-Resolution Rapid Refresh) model also run by NOAA over the lower 48 United States. New model forecasts are run every hour after data assimilation to merge these observations with prior information from the previous 1h forecast. The data assimilation and model components, including for turbulent mixing, radiation, clouds, and land-surface, are described for this RAP (Rapid Refresh) model.
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Why is it important?
The RAP and HRRR models are central for NOAA guidance for aviation, other transportation, severe weather, hydrology, and energy (including renewable). For instance, US air traffic management through the FAA uses weather guidance from the RAP and HRRR models.
Perspectives
The development of the RAP and HRRR weather models has been an outstanding team effort from NOAA/ESRL Global Systems Division, but also especially from the National Weather Service (NWS). Other labs have also contributed, in particular, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
Stan Benjamin
NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A North American Hourly Assimilation and Model Forecast Cycle: The Rapid Refresh, Monthly Weather Review, April 2016, American Meteorological Society,
DOI: 10.1175/mwr-d-15-0242.1.
You can read the full text:
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