EU COST Action 722: The Understanding of Fog Structure, Development and ForecastingPresented on behalf of the 13 participant countries

1. Background.

In September 2001, the EU initiated a European Concerted Research Action designated as COST  Action 722, and entitled "Short range forecasting methods of fog, visibility and low clouds". Currently thirteen European countries participate, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK. The main objective of the Action is to develop advanced methods for very short-range forecasts of fog, visibility and low clouds, adapted to characteristic areas and to user requirements. This overall objective includes:- the development of pre-processing methods of the necessary input data,- the development of appropriate forecast models and methods,- the development of adaptable application software for the production of the forecasts.

A first phase report, COST 722 (2003), an “Inventory” of current science and techniques was completed by Autumn 2003 and is to be followed the second, “Research and Development”, phase by 2005, with completion of “Development” and “Dissemination” phases by 2006/7.

The development of visibility, fog and low clouds is influenced by many parameters (e.g. cloudiness, temperature, humidity, wind speed, topography, vegetation and radiation). Fog is especially very sensitive to small changes in the relevant meteorological parameters in the lowest layers of the atmosphere, so that very high-quality measurements are required. Therefore, high forecast skill is dependent on accurate knowledge of the vertical distribution of the relevant input parameters.

2. Phase 1 Conclusions.

The conclusions emphasize that a deeper understanding of the relevant processes of the development of fog, visibility and low clouds is required for improved forecasting. NWP models are able to represent the large scale forcing on many occasions, but are not sensitive to the local meteorological and topographical parameters. 1-D models can be used for local forecasts, but only fine scale 3-D models have the potential to consider all relevant processes. The “inventory” includes a need for increased spatial and temporal data, and an observation that statistical methods can be useful for prediction purposes. The full COST 722 Phase 1 report entitled “Very short range forecasting of fog and low clouds: Inventory phase on current knowledge and requirements by forecasters and users” is available on the website: http://137.248.191.94/cost/publications.html. The analysis includes a study of all commonly used forecasting models in the EU.

3. Current Work, Phase 2.

This phase includes three main areas:“Initial Data”. This area will include a study of incorporating all available climatologies, surface and remote sensing data, and the ability to differentiate between low clouds and fog.“Models”. The objective is to examine the potential of different models, investigate the mechanisms and improve model physics, with the possibility of developing probability forecasts and method validation.“Statistical Methods”. Limitations and potential of existing techniques, data requirements, improvement and portability are important areas.

An observational programme based on the collection of data from the airport Paris CDG, will be used for testing and comparison of different techniques.

It is not possible to include all the current activities, but a sample of the undergoing work is presented below.

Meteorological tower of 30m : T / Hu%

Ground measurements : T / W inside the soil (between ground and –50cm) short- and long-wave radiations

Airport terminal 1:T / H%

Radiation fluxes

Since December 2002

Observational experiment at Paris CDG airport

Results from use of the ALADIN model for winters 2002/3 and 2003/4 have shown that the systematic` under-prediction of the sharp inversions and the use of a cloudiness scheme which produces too little cloud. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show how an improved sub cloud scheme can help.

Figure 1 : Predicted (red) and observed (blue) soundings in Vienna during a typical stratus episode. Results obtained (a) with reference cloudiness scheme, (b) with improved sub-inversion cloudiness scheme. Because of cloud-radiation feedback the improved scheme leads to a sharper inversion structure, in better agreement with observations.

Fig 1(a) Fig 1(b)

Figure 2. Comments:Model with 1km grid qualitatively better and more consistent with observation.1km model quantitatively better for 10.12.2003 case studyModels with 1km and 4km grids produce and dissipate fog more quickly, fog also denser.Models with 1km and 4km grids more similar than 12km grid model.Clear need for improved microphysics and radiation schemes.

Fig. 2 Verification statistics for 10.12.03 case study.

Comparison of results using the UK Met Office model for different resoltions of 12km, 4km and 1km.

Figure 3. Current results for Roissy, for the hit rate and false alarm rate, using a combination of the Cobal / Ispa models and observations

Working Group 3 is evaluating the use of statistical methods and model evaluation criteria.

Figure 4 shows the performance of an operational Model Output Statistics probabilistic forecast of low visibility thresholds in Dijon (NE France) at 06UTC. The statistical model runs from 15UTC. Lead time is +18h. The method is a linear discriminant analysis. Predictors are elaborated from the output of the French ARPEGE model (run at 12UTC) and from observations of different variables (available at 15UTC). Scores have been computed from 2 consecutive winter seasons (2002-2003 and 2003-2004). The pseudo-ROC diagram shows an encouraging performance even for lower thresholds.

The detection of fog and false alarmsThe pseudo-ROC diagram shows the Hit Rate (HR as in the ROC) vs the False Alarm Ratio (FAR = proportion of warnings that are not justified) for a deterministic forecast (one single point) or for a number of probability thresholds (one curve). Good performance is indicated by the closeness to the upper left corner. The diagram also shows the bias of deterministic forecasts: there is no bias where HR+FAR=1, i.e. Along the diagonal.

Further details are available from the COST web site, http://137.248.191.94/cost or www.lcrs.de or from the poster presenters at the conference: …...

The COBEL 1-D model has been successful at reproducing fog events in the past and it is being modified for future use:

Improvements are needed.Gravitational settling schemeInclude vegetation parameters Soil model coupling process

Coupling the model to various high resolution 3-D models and the usage of an assimilation technique should provide interesting results

Other groups in the COST action are working on areas not included in this poster.

These include projects to

improve the 2m visibility predictions using a DMI development of the HIRLAM model

modify the turbulence representation and inclusion of special snow tiles for the HIRLAM / SMHI model

develop the Hirlam model , modified by ground observations, use of probabalistic calculations and comparison for Madrid - Barajas region

characterization of factors which control the generation of radiational and advectively forced fog

1-D (Column)

Boundary Layer Model

High VerticalResolution

A Detailed Look atthe Physical Processes

Radiative Transfer Turbulent Mixing

Soil-AtmosphereInteractions

- momentum- heat- humidity

1-Dimensional Modeling1-Dimensional Modeling