3rd HyMeX workshop 1-4 June 2009 Heraklion (Gournes), Crete-Greece
5-km operational weather forecasts for the Mediterranean region: The POSEIDON systemAnastasios Papadopoulos (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research); P. Katsafados, E. Mavromatidis, E. Anagnostou, M. Grecu
The POSEIDON weather forecasting system became operational at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in October 1999. The system with its nesting capability provides 72-hour forecasts in two different model domains, i.e. 25- and 10-km grid spacing. The lower-resolution domain covers an extended area that includes most of Europe, Mediterranean Sea and N. Africa, while the higher resolution domain focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean.
A major upgrade of the system was recently implemented in the framework of the POSEIDON-II project (2005-2008). The aim was to enhance the forecasting skill of the system through improved model parameterization schemes and advanced numerical techniques for assimilating available observations to produce high resolution analysis fields. The configuration of the new system is applied on a horizontal resolution of 1/20°x1/20° (~5 km) covering the Mediterranean basin, Black Sea and part of North Atlantic providing up to 5-day forecasts.
Radar, satellite and other remote-sensed observations obtained through HYMEX WG3 and WG4 activities can be assimilated into the POSEIDON weather system. Then, the improved products, particularly useful for supporting marine and hydrological applications can be used for the scientific objectives of the HYMEX WG1 and WG2.
