The Development of Numerical Weather Models-A review

Asnor M Ishak; Prashant K Srivastava; Manika Gupta; Tanvir Islam

Asnor M Ishak Hydrology and Water Resources Division, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment KM 7, Jalan Ampang,68000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Prashant K Srivastava Hydrological Sciences, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
Manika Gupta Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA
Tanvir Islam NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research, College Park, Maryland, USA

Abstract

Mesoscale models are getting importance in weather prediction. Researchers working in the field of atmospheric sciences are now utilizing these models for the simulation and prediction of severe weather systems. Some of the pioneer weather prediction agency such as NOAA, ECMWF, UK met etc uses mesoscale models for operational products development. This modeling system can be used for simulating very high resolution products on a nested grid with a wide variety of options for the parameterization of physical processes. This review is focused on state of the art mesoscale modelling techniques that can be used to estimate high resolution hydro-meteorological data at local/regional or global level. This paper will provide the review of the various mesoscale modelling techniques. The two models- MM5 and WRF are explained in detail with respect to its applications. Further usefulness of these models for downscaling is also discussed with respect to their performances.