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Current Research
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Centre for Earth Observation Science
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The University of Manitoba (Centre for Earth
Observation Science) is collaborating with a
private firm (Invenia) to investigate the feasibility
of using mesoscale weather prediction models
for wind power and icing condition assessments
in southern Manitoba. This project is also
in collaboration with Manitoba Hydro.
High spatial resolution (3 km or less) operational
numerical weather prediction (NWP)
modeling has only recently been possible due to
computing technology advances over the last
number of years. These type of model runs are
only operationally available from Environment
Canada in eastern and western Canada (BC, AB
and a small part of SK) and not in Manitoba.
This research project focuses on the development
of a multi-resolution (54 - 2 km) and multi
-domain (north America to southern Manitoba)
modeling capability focused on Manitoba with
respect to severe weather research in all seasons
and other weather research applications (e.g.
agriculture). |
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Currently, a local multi-processor Linux-based
system at the main ACN facility at UM is running
the Weather Research and Forecasting
(WRF) mesoscale
atmospheric
model
which has implemented
this
multi-resolution
nested domain
forecasting system.
The model
produces forecasts out to 24 hours three times
per day (0000, 0600 and 1200 GMT) over four
(nested) domains.
Until now, the project has been primarily focused
on producing basic visual products over
the four domains. This is ongoing as only very
basic displays are available. More work is
needed in the following areas to advance the
research: (1) improving displayed visual products,
(2) model validation to gauge model performance
over Manitoba, (3) production of customized
data for severe weather and agricultural
research applications, and (4) extending the
forecasts to beyond 24 hours within the constraints
of the computing infrastructure. The
next phase of the research project is focusing on
these four issues before moving on to more advanced
research.
The need for the WestGrid HPC facilities accessed
over MRnet is to address points (3) and
(4) above, but primarily point (4). The current in
-house Linux system is not capable of producing
forecasts beyond the 24 hour time frame. Forecasts
out to 48 hours or 72 hours would be desirable.
The production of customized data from
the model may
involve larger
data storage requirements
than
the Linux system
can handle, thus
another need for
WestGrid assistance. |
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