10.3 GEFS reforecasts: A data set suitable for initializing retrospective WRF forecasts

Hamill, Thomas, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Tom Galarneau, National Center for Atmospheric Research

NOAA has recently completed the generation of a retrospective ensemble reforecast data set, a once-daily (00Z), 11-member medium-range set of retrospective forecasts from 1985-current. The 2012 version of the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecast System was used. Data was saved on mass storage to permit the initialization and definition of lateral boundary conditions for regional model retrospective simulations such as with WRF. The data set and method of access will be described, and a sample ensemble simulation of Hurricane Rita will be shown. For more on the data set, see http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/forecasts/reforecast2/ and the BAMS article, in press, at http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/BAMS-D-12-00014.1