Extreme Weather Monitoring and Forecasting

Programme overview

The quantity and quality of atmospheric observational data used by meteorologists and weather forecasters increases year by year, but the continuous improvement of forecasting skills remains a challenge. Mainly due to the difficulty of accurately determining initial conditions, in order to accurately delineate the atmospheric boundary layer, especially wind profiles, in high-resolution numerical models, it is necessary to improve observations at regional and local scales. In addition to the uncertainty of weather forecasts, there is also improved monitoring of severe and extreme weather events (severe thunderstorms, typhoons and other mesoscale phenomena) that can adversely affect human life, property and business.

Features of the scheme

Numerical weather prediction models require more comprehensive local observations (such as 3D wind fields) as initial conditions, but existing meteorological observation networks lack high-resolution dense observation data. Hence new Lidar products are needed to provide accurate 3D data observations and enhance the vertical observation capability of the meteorological system. The construction of wind Lidars network can realize:

1. Improve the accuracy of numerical forecast and provide data support for early warning of typhoons, rainstorms and other weather.
2. Establish a three-dimensional urban wind field model to provide accurate monitoring data for urban pollution forecasting.


Application cases