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    Reading: Improved simulation of water vapour and clear-sky radiation using 24-hour forecasts from ERA40

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    Original Research Papers

    Improved simulation of water vapour and clear-sky radiation using 24-hour forecasts from ERA40

    Author:

    Richard P. Allan

    ESSC, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, GB
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    Abstract

    Monthly mean water vapour and clear-sky radiation extracted from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts 40-year reanalysis (ERA40) forecasts are assessed using satellite observations and additional reanalysis data. There is a marked improvement in the interannual variability of column-integrated water vapour (CWV) over the oceans when using the 24-hour forecasts compared with the standard 6-hour forecasts products. The spatial distribution of CWV are well simulated by the 6-hour forecasts; using the 24-hour forecasts does not degrade this simulation substantially and in many cases improves on the quality. There is also an improved simulation of clear-sky radiation from the 24-hour forecasts compared with the 6-hour forecasts based on comparison with satellite observations and empirical estimates. Further work is required to assess the quality of water vapour simulation by reanalyses over land regions. Over the oceans, it is recommended that 24-hour forecasts of CWV and clear-sky radiation are used in preference to the standard 6-hour forecast products from ERA40.

    How to Cite: Allan, R.P., 2007. Improved simulation of water vapour and clear-sky radiation using 24-hour forecasts from ERA40. Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography, 59(3), pp.336–343. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0870.2007.00229.x
      Published on 01 Jan 2007
    Peer Reviewed
     CC BY 4.0
     Accepted on 8 Jan 2007            Submitted on 22 Aug 2006

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