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The Weather Research and Forecasting Model: Overview, System Efforts, and Future Directions

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society · 2017 · Vol. 98(8) · pp. 1717–1737

Jordan G. Powers✉(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Joseph B. Klemp(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)William C. Skamarock(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Christopher A. Davis(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Jimy Dudhia(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)David Gill(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Janice L. Coen(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)David Gochis(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Ravan Ahmadov(University of Colorado Boulder)Steven E. Peckham(United States Army Corps of Engineers)Georg Grell(NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory)John Michalakes(University Corporation for Atmospheric Research)Samuel Trahan(NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction)Stanley G. Benjamin(NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory)Curtis R. Alexander(NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory)Geoffrey J. DiMego(NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction)Wei Wang(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Craig S. Schwartz(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Glen S. Romine(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Zhiquan Liu(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Chris Snyder(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Fei Chen(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Michael Barlage(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Wei Yu(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)Michael Duda(NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research)

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Abstract

Abstract Since its initial release in 2000, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model has become one of the world’s most widely used numerical weather prediction models. Designed to serve both research and operational needs, it has grown to offer a spectrum of options and capabilities for a wide range of applications. In addition, it underlies a number of tailored systems that address Earth system modeling beyond weather. While the WRF Model has a centralized support effort, it has become a truly community model, driven by the developments and contributions of an active worldwide user base. The WRF Model sees significant use for operational forecasting, and its research implementations are pushing the boundaries of finescale atmospheric simulation. Future model directions include developments in physics, exploiting emerging compute technologies, and ever-innovative applications. From its contributions to research, forecasting, educational, and commercial efforts worldwide, the WRF Model has made a significant mark on numerical weather prediction and atmospheric science.

Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations Climate variability and models Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones ResearchWeather Research and Forecasting ModelNumerical weather predictionNorth American Mesoscale ModelWeather forecastingWeather predictionImplementationMeteorologyComputer scienceGlobal Forecast SystemEnvironmental science