Model Diagnostic Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
1226 PM EDT Sun Mar 08 2020
Valid Mar 08/1200 UTC thru Mar 12/0000 UTC
...See NOUS42 KWNO (ADMNFD) for the status of the upper air
ingest...
12Z Model Evaluation with Preferences and Confidence
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...Overall Pattern Across the CONUS...
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Preference: Blend of 12Z GFS, 00Z ECMWF, 00Z ECENS
Confidence: Slightly above average
The most noteworthy trend with the arrival of the 12Z GFS and NAM
is that the GFS has slowed down the progression of the closed low
approaching the West Coast. It is now more similar to the 00Z
ECMWF and ECMWF Ensemble Mean (and the previous preference). The
00Z UKMET and 00Z CMC are slower and have an extension of a
low-mid level jet further inland over the Great Basin. This leads
to notable differences in precipitation patterns by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the 12Z NAM is now faster than most other guidance with
the closed low. The preference is to lean toward a blend of the
12Z GFS and 00Z ECMWF, which is much closer to the ensemble means.
This preference applies elsewhere in the country. With model
differences are not quite as drastic for other systems and
regions, a blend of the 12Z GFS, 00Z ECMWF and 00Z ECMWF Ensemble
Mean should be relatively similar to a general model blend.
Rainfall placement in the Ozarks region on Day 3 is the subject of
some disagreement, but there is greater uncertainty as this seems
to be related to convective processes on the northern periphery of
a pool of instability. Therefore, convective mode should play a
larger role in the eventual character of the QPF swath across the
region. For now, the 00Z ECMWF and 00Z ECMWF Ensemble Mean seem to
offer a reasonable placement close to the northern instability
gradient on most models.
Model trends at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/model2.shtml
500 mb forecasts at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/h5pref/h5pref.shtml
Lamers