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The Effect of Snow Cover on the Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) Low-Level Forecasts
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1989
Year
ClimatologyHydrometeorologyMeteorologyNumerical Weather PredictionEngineeringAtmospheric ScienceGeographySnow CoverWeather ForecastingSnow AvalancheClimate ForecastingCryosphereForecastingLow-level ForecastsForecast SystemEarth ScienceLocal Forecasting ImplicationsClimate Change
The response of the Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) low-level forecast fields to the geographical distribution of snow cover is discussed. The errors produced by an improper specification of this field in the forecast model can have a wide variety of local forecasting implications, ranging from poor forecasts of lee-side Great Lakes snowfalls, to errors in forecasts of the earth's surface temperature in areas where the snow cover is changing rapidly. The use of the snow-cover data in the forecast model and its effect on forecast guidance are described.