Weather Research and Forecasting model
Encyclopedia
The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, , is a specific computer program with a dual use for forecasting and research. It was created through a partnership that includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), the National Center for Atmospheric Research
(NCAR), and more than 150 other organizations and universities in the United States and abroad.
WRF is the latest numerical
program model to be adopted by NOAA's National Weather Service
as well as the U.S. military and private meteorological services. It is also being adopted by meteorological services worldwide. It is based on the Eta model developed by Zaviša Janjić and Fedor Mesinger.
A specialized version of the program, the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting
(HWRF) model became operational in 2007.
There are two distinct varieties of this model. NCAR's experimental, advanced research version, called ARW (Advanced Research WRF) features very high resolution and is being used to explore ways of improving the accuracy of hurricane track, intensity, and rainfall forecasts, among other meteorological questions.
The "Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model" or NMM is designed for forecasting operations. Versions of the NMM are run at various National Weather Service
offices, colleges, and universities in the United States over relatively small regions, usually with the higher 4 km grid spacing.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
(NOAA), the National Center for Atmospheric Research
National Center for Atmospheric Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has multiple facilities, including the I. M. Pei-designed Mesa Laboratory headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR is managed by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and sponsored by the National Science Foundation...
(NCAR), and more than 150 other organizations and universities in the United States and abroad.
WRF is the latest numerical
Numerical weather prediction
Numerical weather prediction uses mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather based on current weather conditions. Though first attempted in the 1920s, it was not until the advent of computer simulation in the 1950s that numerical weather predictions produced realistic...
program model to be adopted by NOAA's National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
as well as the U.S. military and private meteorological services. It is also being adopted by meteorological services worldwide. It is based on the Eta model developed by Zaviša Janjić and Fedor Mesinger.
A specialized version of the program, the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting
Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting model
The Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting model is a specialized version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model and is used to forecast the track and intensity of tropical cyclones. The model was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the U.S...
(HWRF) model became operational in 2007.
There are two distinct varieties of this model. NCAR's experimental, advanced research version, called ARW (Advanced Research WRF) features very high resolution and is being used to explore ways of improving the accuracy of hurricane track, intensity, and rainfall forecasts, among other meteorological questions.
The "Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model" or NMM is designed for forecasting operations. Versions of the NMM are run at various National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
offices, colleges, and universities in the United States over relatively small regions, usually with the higher 4 km grid spacing.