AEMET, Spanish Meteorological Agency

NinJo system at the Spanish Meteorological Service.

Modernization of the forecasting process.

Fermín ElizagaForecasting Division

19th EGOWS meeting, Ljubljana 9-12 June 2008

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NinJo system at the AEMet

Outline

• Project for the modernization of the forecasting process

• NinJo system to replace the old McIDAS WS

• Status of the NinJo implementation• Examples using Spanish data• Digital forecast database and GFE• Future plans

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Modernization project

Background

• We are aware that the accumulated delay in automation at the AEMET, during the last decade, has created a difficult situation for the production activities.

• It was clear, in 2005, that a high priority of the AEMET should be to initiate, as soon as possible, the activities leading to a modernization of the forecasting process and to an increase of the automation in the product generation.

• Working Group for the Modernization of the Forecasting Process (2005).The WG analyzed and reviewed other forecasting systems around the world.

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Modernization project

Objectives

• To develop an integrated forecasting/production environment allowing:

• A rational elaboration of products with a predefined quality. Final products will be obtained without the intervention of the forecasters.

• A significant increase in the number of graphic products. At the present moment, a primary means of providing weather forecasts is still textual in form.

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Modernization project

Fundamental elements

• The new approach will rely on three basic elements:

• Digital Forecast Data Base (BDDP in Spanish)

• Generation of the basic digital forecast by interactive modification of the BDDP

• Automatic elaboration and dissemination of products

AEMET, Spanish Meteorological Agency

BDDP – Digital Forecast Data Base

Numerical models

Sensible weather elements

Interactive BDDP modification

Automatic product

generation

Modernization project

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NinJo system at the AEMet

NinJo: New meteorological workstation• During 2006 and 2007 we evaluated the

NinJo versions 1.1 and 1.2 (static data)• The main results of these evaluations were:

• NinJo can replace, with advantage, the McIDAS system.

• Although there are some limitations at the present moment, NinJo is a system in development, so it will be possible to take into account Spanish requirements for the near future.

• It will increase the production capabilities of the AEMet.

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NinJo system at the AEMET

NinJo: New meteorological workstation• In September 2007 we initiated the

activities to introduce a new WS based on the NinJo system.

• At the present moment we have installed:• Two data servers• One Cinesat XRIT decoder• Four Ninjo clients for evaluation at different

forecasting units.

• A course for administration and configuration will take place this month.

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NinJo system at the AEMET

NinJo: New meteorological workstation• Now there are different data ingested

into the NinJo system:

• Conventional observations• Numerical models: HIRLAM and ECMWF• Radar data (only PPI for the moment)• Satellite data (MSG) • Lightning data

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NinJo system at the AEMET

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NinJo system at the AEMET

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NinJo system at the AEMET

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NinJo system at the AEMET

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NinJo system at the AEMET

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Digital forecast database

Digital Forecast Database- BDDP

• It will be the crucial element of the modernization process.

• The BDDP stores the basic forecast using sensible weather elements and parameters.

• It contains a picture, as detailed as possible, of the state of the atmosphere and its evolution.

• The basic forecast is established only one time for every forecast cycle.

• BDDP is not designed for a specific product or purpose.

AEMET, Spanish Meteorological Agency

• 2m Temperature, Tmax and Tmin, Tmax and Tmin variations in 24 h, etc.

• 10 m Wind and Wind gusts• 2m Relative Humidity• Wind Chill and Heat Index• Probability of precipitation at different

thresholds and periods• Intensity and type of precipitation (rain, snow,

shower)• Sky cover (total, low, medium, high)• Probability of thunderstorms, fogs, etc.• Probability of snowfall at different thresholds,

periods and the snow-rain limit.

Digital forecast database

AEMET, Spanish Meteorological Agency

Digital forecast database

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Graphical Forecast Editor

GFE (Graphical Forecast Editor)

• This year we have started a project to implement the GFE at the AEMet (GFE is in operation at the NWS WFOs, USA).

• GFE is an interactive graphical forecast preparation system for producing routine forecast products in various formats.

• The main functions of the GFE are:• Initializing database• Viewing and editing grids• Coordination with adjacent offices• Running background programs (e.g., text

generation)

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Modernization project

Plans for near future• To clearly identify the minimum

requirements for the NinJo system to replace McIDAS WS.

• We plan to put in operation the first NinJo WS during 2009.

• To complete the development of the first version of the BDDP.

• To implement in a preoperational environment the GFE (and the combination of BDDP and GFE) during 2010.