Model Diagnostic Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
156 AM EST Wed Nov 13 2019
Valid Nov 13/0000 UTC thru Nov 16/1200 UTC
..See NOUS42 KWNO (ADMNFD) for the status of the upper air
ingest...
00Z Model Evaluation with Final Preferences and Confidence
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...Shortwave tracking from the Northwest to the Plains by Wed and
Northeast on Thu...
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Preference: General model blend
Confidence: Above average
The models show similarly with this system.
...Mid-level shortwave reaching the Lower Mississippi Valley late
Thursday interacting with a weakening closed low crossing southern
Texas around the same time...
...Closed low development over the Southeast by late Fri...
...Cyclogenesis off the Southeast Coast on Fri...
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Preference: 50% 00Z GFS, 25/25% 12Z ECMWF/UKMET blend
Confidence: Slightly below average
...07Z update...
The 00Z ECMWF/UKMET/CMC made some adjustments with the system
reaching the southeastern U.S. Friday night. The 00Z ECMWF slowed
down its 500 mb trough greater than its 12Z run and its surface
low track shifted closer to the edge of the latest ensemble
scatter low plots. Meanwhile, the 00Z UKMET/CMC adjusted a bit
slower as well as north with the 500 mb low track. The 00Z ECMWF
is by far the slowest of the deterministic guidance, while the 00Z
UKMET/CMC surface low are displaced farther east than ideal early
Saturday. While a non 00Z NAM consensus is acceptable through
mid-day Friday, the increased deterministic spread by Saturday
morning lowers confidence a bit below average.
...previous discussion follows...
Two shortwaves are expected to come rather close to one another
along the central Gulf Coast Thursday night. One originates from
northern Mexico while the other is a northern stream wave from the
southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. The 12Z CMC shows a
different timing with a slower southern wave and faster northern
wave. Meanwhile, the 00Z NAM begins to show stronger with the
mid-level wave and winds up developing a surface low along a
coastal frontal boundary and tracking the low well north of the
available ensemble/deterministic guidance through the western
Atlantic.
The timing of the 12Z ECMWF's 500 mb shortwave is on the slow side
of the ensemble spread, but does not look completely unreasonable,
especially when blended with the similar 12Z UKMET position. The
resulting surface low off of the Southeast U.S. is strongest in
the 12Z UKMET and weakest in the 12Z ECMWF with the 00Z GFS in the
middle. A 3-way blend of the 00Z GFS/12Z ECMWF/12Z UKMET is
considered best at this time with more weight toward the 00Z GFS.
...Strong northern stream trough brushing the Northeast by Fri
evening...
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Preference: General model blend
Confidence: Above average
Despite some minor timing/depth differences, the models show
similarly with this system.
...Mid-level shortwaves approaching the West Coast on Thu into
Fri...
...Mid-level trough reaching the northern Rocky Mountains Saturday
morning...
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Preference: General model blend, transitioning to a 00Z ECMWF/CMC
blend by 12Z/16
Confidence: Slightly above average
...07Z update...
The 00Z UKMET remains faster with the shortwave over the West
Saturday morning, however the 00Z CMC slowed down closer to the
ECMWF. Meanwhile the 00Z ECMWF amplified slightly deeper compared
to its previous 12Z cycle. The end result is to continue a
ECMWF/CMC blend for the preference, noting a slightly deeper trend
in some of the guidance.
...previous discussion follows...
The models show good agreement with a relatively weak mid-level
shortwave forecast to reach the Oregon/California coasts on
Thursday. A second shortwave to the north, forecast to reach
Washington early Friday, shows some greater differences. The 12Z
UKMET and 12Z CMC are faster with the timing of this wave to reach
the Pacific Northwest.
Downstream, however, the 12Z CMC slows down with this system by
Saturday morning while the 12Z UKMET remains faster. Meanwhile,
the 00Z NAM/GFS show greater amplification into the West by
Saturday morning resulting in colder temperatures compared to the
agreeable ensemble means and 12Z ECMWF/CMC. Therefore, the overall
preference will transition to a 12Z ECMWF/CMC blend by 12Z/16.
...Closed low development offshore southern California Fri night...
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Preference: non 00Z ECMWF blend
Confidence: Average
...07Z update...
Adjustments in the 00Z non-NCEP guidance showed that the 00Z UKMET
adjusted closer to the previous preference, while the 00Z ECMWF
adjusted significantly faster than most of the remaining model
guidance. The 00Z CMC also adjusted faster/closer to the
U.S./Mexico coast but it is close enough to the remaining
clustering of guidance to be included as part of a blend.
...previous discussion follows...
The models show moderate differences with the timing of a closed
low offshore of southern California by Saturday morning. The 12Z
UKMET stands out with a slower track compared to the remaining
guidance, so a non 12Z UKMET blend will be recommended at this
time.
Model trends at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/model2.shtml
500 mb forecasts at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/h5pref/h5pref.shtml
Otto