|
The higher the numerical resolution, the
more accurate the calculations become. A high spatial resolution
also enables a better representation of topographical fields, such
as mountains and coastlines, and the effect they have on the
large-scale flow. It also produces a more accurate description of
horizontal and vertical structures, which facilitates the
assimilation of observations.
The smallest atmospheric features which can
be resolved by high-resolution forecasts have wave lengths four or
five times the numerical resolution. Although these atmospheric
systems have a predictability of only some hours, which is about
the time it takes to disseminate the forecasts, their
representation is nevertheless important for energetic exchanges
between different atmospheric scales.
Increasing the resolution not only benefits
the analyses and forecasts of the small-scale systems associated
with severe weather but also those of large-scale systems. The
ability accurately to forecast the formation of large-scale
blocking “omega” anticyclones and “cut-off
lows” depends crucially on increasing the resolution to
kilometres (Miller et al, 2010).
The interpolation technique used when
forecasts are retrieved is presented in section 2.4.
|
