Historical Winter Storm Atlas for Germany (Gewisa)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Historical Winter Storm Atlas for Germany (Gewisa) atmosphere Article Historical Winter Storm Atlas for Germany (GeWiSA) Christopher Jung * and Dirk Schindler Environmental Meteorology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Werthmannstrasse 10, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-761-203-6822 Received: 31 May 2019; Accepted: 8 July 2019; Published: 11 July 2019 Abstract: Long-term gust speed (GS) measurements were used to develop a winter storm atlas of the 98 most severe winter storms in Germany in the period 1981–2018 (GeWiSa). The 25 m 25 m × storm-related GS fields were reconstructed in a two-step procedure: Firstly, the median gust speed (GSf) of all winter storms was modeled by a least-squares boosting (LSBoost) approach. Orographic features and surface roughness were used as predictor variables. Secondly, the quotient of GS related to each winter storm to GSf, which was defined as storm field factor (STF), was calculated and mapped by a thin plate spline interpolation (TPS). It was found that the mean study area-wide GS associated with the 2007 storm Kyrill is highest (29.7 m/s). In Southern Germany, the 1999 storm Lothar, with STF being up to 2.2, was the most extreme winter storm in terms of STF and GS. The results demonstrate that the variability of STF has a considerable impact on the simulated GS fields. Event-related model validation yielded a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.786 for the test dataset. The developed GS fields can be used as input to storm damage models representing storm hazard. With the knowledge of the storm hazard, factors describing the vulnerability of storm exposed objects and structures can be better estimated, resulting in improved risk management. Keywords: gust speed; roughness length; European Settlement Map; storm damage; digital elevation model 1. Introduction Strong storms chronically lead to enormous socio-economic damage [1]. In the period 1981–2018, storm events around the world caused total losses of about US$ 2115bn and led to approximately 446,000 fatalities [1]. The spatiotemporal extent of storm events greatly varies depending on the geographical location and the time during the year [2]. In Central Europe, storm events can roughly be classified into two categories: small-scale thunderstorms, which mainly occur from May to September [3–6], and large-scale winter storms mainly occurring from October to March, which are related to intense low-pressure systems [2,7–10]. As a part of Central Europe, Germany was often hit by severe winter storms, causing total losses of about US$ 37bn and 300 fatalities since 1981 [1]. The most destructive feature of winter storms are high-impact gusts, which are short-time fluctuations of the horizontal wind vector [11,12]. High gust speed (GS) seriously affects numerous sectors including forestry [13–15], insurance [16], local authorities [17], wind energy [2], waterways transport [18] and air traffic [19]. In these sectors, there is great interest in spatially explicit modeled GS fields for improving the identification of storm damage risk factors [15]. Among the approaches used to model storm characteristics including GS, mechanistic models [7,8] can be differentiated from statistical (empirical) models [20–23]. Mechanistic models are useful tools for characterizing and investigating physical processes that determine storm formation, storm life cycle and storm-related GS dynamics. However, one of the major challenges in the application of mechanistic models is the knowledge of and the control over the large number of input parameters and the rather extensive initialization as well as parameterization for particular datasets. Atmosphere 2019, 10, 387; doi:10.3390/atmos10070387 www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere Atmosphere 2019, 10, 387 2 of 17 The second, widely used approach is statistical (empirical) modeling, which is based on measured GS values. Although statistical approaches provide only general insights into the physical mechanisms of GS dynamics, they can be applied to assess GS field dynamics associated with winter storms. However, due to measurement errors, missing data and low temporal resolution, the quality of many GS time series is poor [24]. Comprehensive preparation is usually a basic prerequisite for the scientific analysis and interpretation of GS data. This mostly includes breakpoint analysis, measurement height correction and gap filling [25]. Moreover, long-term GS measurements are rare [26]. The small number of high-quality GS time series is a serious issue, since GS is one of the fastest varying atmospheric variables [27]. Complex land cover pattern and orographic obstacles at and around GS measuring sites further reduce the spatial representativeness of the few available long-term GS measurements [28,29]. To improve the spatial representativeness, statistical approaches making use of relationships between surface properties and GS were applied to model GS on high spatial resolution grids. For instance, the 98th percentiles of daily maximum GS time series were modeled for Switzerland on a 50 m 50 m × resolution grid [20]. Return periods of extreme GS were mapped in Germany on a 1000 m 1000 m × resolution grid [21]. In another study, 69 GS time series were used to model GS distributions on a 50 m 50 m resolution grid in Southwestern Germany [22]. Using terrain and roughness-related × information as predictor variables (PV), storm event-related GS was modeled on a 50 m 50 m grid in × Southwest Germany [23]. The above-mentioned studies investigated either the statistical properties of GS distributions or individual storm events. Since all storms have a unique track, the results of these studies are either not related to a particular storm event or individual showcases. To combine both approaches, it is necessary to consider the tracks of many storms in the statistical modeling of GS. This allows improved statements to be made about the spatiotemporal GS variability and the associated storm damage. The combined analysis of many storm events allows not only statements about central tendencies of GS during storms, but also about the deviation of individual storm events from the central tendencies. Considering these aspects, the goals of this study are (1) reconstructing the storm fields associated with the most destructive winter storms in Germany in the period 1981–2018 and (2) high-spatial resolution modeling of GS associated with these storms. The mapping of the GS fields yields the winter storm atlas for Germany (GeWiSA). 2. Material and Methods 2.1. Overview The development of GeWiSA comprises the following main steps (Figure1): (1) obtaining a GS time series of 307 measurement stations operated by the German Meteorological Service (DWD) in the period 1981–2018, (2) breakpoint analysis and correction of GS time series, (3) extraction of GS associated with the 98 most destructive winter storms, (4) calculation of median GS (GSf), (5) calculation of the storm field factor (STF), (6) estimation of roughness length (z0), (7) assessment of relative elevation (η) and orographic sheltering (σ), (8) modeling of GS based on a LSBoost approach and PV, (9) thin plate spline interpolation (TPS) of STF, (10) multiplication of GSf by STF yielding GS. Atmosphere 20192019,, 10,, 387x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 1716 86 FigureFigure 1. Overview 1. Overview of the of methodology the methodology applied applied to develop to develop Germany’s Germany’s winter winter storm storm atlas (GeWiSA),atlas 87 with(GeWiSA) STF being, with the STF storm being field the factor,storm GSfieldis factor, the gust 퐺푆 speed is the and gustGSf speedis the and median 퐺푆̃ is of theGS .median of 퐺푆. 2.2. Study Area and Evaluated Winter Storms 88 2.2. Study Area and Evaluated Winter Storms Germany has a size of about 357,000 km2. The German landscape consists of four large natural 89 Germany has a size of about 357,000 km². The German landscape consists of four large natural areas: the North German Plain, the Central German Plain, the Alpine Foothills and the Alps in Southern 90 areas: the North German Plain, the Central German Plain, the Alpine Foothills and the Alps in Germany [30]. Germany’s surface is covered by agricultural areas (59%), forests (30%) and artificial 91 Southern Germany [30]. Germany’s surface is covered by agricultural areas (59%), forests (30%) and surfaces such as urban areas, airports and road and rail networks (8%) [30,31]. 92 artificial surfaces such as urban areas, airports and road and rail networks (8%) [30,31]. In total, 98 severe winter storms were included in GeWiSA (Table1). The storms were selected 93 In total, 98 severe winter storms were included in GeWiSA (Table 1). The storms were selected based on the overall losses (inflation-adjusted 2018 $) from Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE [1]. The first 94 based on the overall losses (inflation-adjusted 2018 $) from Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE [1]. The winter storm contained in Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE occurred in 1981. A maximum number of five 95 first winter storm contained in Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE occurred in 1981. A maximum number severe winter storms per year was selected with overall losses being at least US$ 3.0m. According to 96 of five severe winter storms per year was selected with overall losses being at least US$ 3.0m. the overall losses, the most severe storms were Kyrill (US$ 5100 m), Lothar (US$ 2200m) and Friederike 97 According to the overall losses, the most severe storms were Kyrill (US$ 5,100m), Lothar (US$ 2,200m) (US$ 1900 m) [1]. A year with several severe winter storms was 1990. In this year, storms Daria, Vivian 98 and Friederike (US$ 1,900m) [1]. A year with several severe winter storms was 1990. In this year, and Wiebke occurred, causing US$ 1800 m each. 99 storms Daria, Vivian and Wiebke occurred, causing US$ 1,800m each.
Recommended publications
  • Hurricane Katrina 10 Catastrophe Management and Global Windstorm Peril Review
    Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Hurricane Katrina 10 Catastrophe management and global windstorm peril review Katrina Lessons Learned Windstorm risk management Global Loss Analysis Top locations according to insurance claims New Exposures How assets have changed Loss Mitigation Best practice checklist New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina: August 2005 Photo: US Coastguard, Wikimedia Commons HURRICANE KATRINA 10: CATASTROPHE MANAGEMENT AND GLOBAL WINDSTORM PERIL REVIEW Summary Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the US coastal infrastructure, including warehouses, cranes, on August 29, 2005. It remains the largest-ever quaysides, terminals, buoys and sheds. windstorm loss and the costliest disaster in the history of the global insurance industry, causing as much as Katrina has helped to improved catastrophe risk $125bn in overall damages and $60bn+ in insured management awareness. Impact of storm and losses. demand surge, business continuity and insurance coverage details are among the key lessons learned. Storms can have a devastating impact for businesses. Even without considering the impact of climate A decade later the Gulf Coast is better prepared to change the prospect of increasing losses is more withstand the effects of a hurricane due to better likely in future. This is due to continuing economic education, improved construction guidelines and development in hazard-prone urban coastal areas increased third party inspection. around the world and in Asia in particular, where growth of exposure is far outpacing take-up of However, businesses still need to place greater insurance coverage, resulting in a growing gap in emphasis on reviewing pre- and post-loss risk natural catastrophe preparedness. management. Preparedness is crucial to mitigating increasing storm losses, particularly in highly- AGCS business insurance claims analysis shows susceptible areas such as construction sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Statistical Characteristics of Convective Storms in Darwin, Northern Australia
    Examensarbete vid Institutionen för geovetenskaper ISSN 1650-6553 Nr 125 Statistical Characteristics of Convective Storms in Darwin, Northern Australia Andreas Vallgren Abstract This M. Sc. thesis studies the statistical characteristics of convective storms in a monsoon regime in Darwin, northern Australia. It has been conducted with the use of radar. Enhanced knowledge of tropical convection is essential in studies of the global climate, and this study aims to bring light on some special characteristics of storms in a tropical environment. The observed behaviour of convective storms can be implemented in the parameterisation of these in cloud-resolving regional and global models. The wet season was subdivided into three regimes; build-up and breaks, the monsoon and the dry monsoon. Using a cell tracking system called TITAN, these regimes were shown to support different storm characteristics in terms of their temporal, spatial and height distributions. The build-up and break storms were seen to be more vigorous and particularly modulated diurnally by sea breezes. The monsoon was dominated by frequent but less intense and vertically less extensive convective cores. The explanation for this could be found in the atmospheric environment, with monsoonal convection having oceanic origins together with a mean upward motion of air through the depth of the troposphere. The dry monsoon was characterised by suppressed convection due to the presence of dry mid-level air. The effects of wind shear on convective line orientations were examined. The results show a diurnal evolution from low-level shear parallel orientations of convective lines to low-level shear perpendicular during build-up and breaks.
    [Show full text]
  • Tradition Biloxi, Mississippi
    A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PANEL REPORT Tradition Bi lo xi, Mississi ppi Urban L an d $ Ins ti tute Tradition Biloxi, Mississippi Developing a Sustainable Master-Planned Community January 13 –18, 2008 A Sustainable Development Panel Report ULI–the Urban Land Institute 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W. Suite 500 West Washington, D.C. 20007-5201 About ULI–the Urban Land Institute he mission of the Urban Land Institute is to • Sustaining a diverse global network of local provide leadership in the responsible use of practice and advisory efforts that address cur - land and in creating and sustaining thriving rent and future challenges. T communities worldwide. ULI is committed to Established in 1936, the Institute today has more • Bringing together leaders from across the fields than 40,000 members worldwide, represent ing t he of real estate and land use policy to exchange entire spectrum of the land use and develop ment best practices and serve community needs; disciplines. Professionals represented include de - velopers, builders, property owners, investors, ar - • Fostering collaboration within and beyond chitects, public officials, planners, real estate bro - ULI’s membership through mentoring, dia - kers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers , logue, and problem solving; academics, students, and librarians. ULI relies • Exploring issues of urbanization, conservation, heavily on the experience of its members. It is regeneration, land use, capital formation, and through member involvement and information sustainable development; resources that ULI has been able to set standards of excellence in development practice. The Insti - • Advancing land use policies and design prac - tute has long been recognized as one of the world’s tices that respect the uniqueness of both built most respected and widely quoted sources of ob - and natural environments; jective information on urban planning, growth, and development.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 8, No. 2, 2008 Newsletter of the International Pacific Research
    limate Vol. 8, No. 2, 2008 Newsletter of the International Pacific Research Center The center for the study of climate in Asia and the Pacific at the University of Hawai‘i at M¯anoa Vol. 8, No. 2, 2008 Newsletter of the International Pacific Research Center Research What Controls Tropical Cyclone Size and Intensity? . 3 The Cloud Trails of the Hawaiian Isles . 6 The North Pacific Subtropical Countercurrent: Mystery Current with a History . .10 Tracking Ocean Debris . .14 Meetings “ENSO Dynamics and Predictability” Summer School . .17 Research for Agricultural Risk Management . .18 First OFES International Workshop . .19 IPRC Participates in PaCIS. .20 Pacific Climate Data Meetings. .20 News at IPRC................................21 Steam clouds rise from hot lava pouring New IPRC Staff . .25 into the ocean off the south-shore cliffs on the island of Hawai‘i. Photo courtesy of Axel Lauer. University of Hawai‘i at M¯anoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology 2 IPRC Climate, vol. 8, no. 2, 2008 What Controls Tropical Cyclone Size and Intensity? he white shimmering clouds that spiral towards the eye of a tropical cyclone can tell us much about Twhether or not the storm will intensify and grow larger, according to computer modeling experiments con- ducted by IPRC’s Yuqing Wang. Scientists have speculated for some time that the outer spiral rainbands could impact significantly a storm’s structure and intensity, but this process is not yet completely understood. With the cloud-resolving tropical cyclone model he had developed, the TCM4, Wang conducted various experiments in which he was able to in- crease or decrease the activity of the outer rainbands.
    [Show full text]
  • Facts Figures
    sustainability report for the 2015 financial year of Österreichischen Bundesforste FACTS AND FIGURES Facts & Figures Key figures 2013 – 2015 2013 2014 2015 Man and Society ÖBf Group and AG How the 2015 financial year developed 2013 2014 2015 Annual sustainable yield (allowed cut) ÖBf AG 3 1,505 1,519 1,591 for Bundesforste’s different units. Who we are in 1,000 harvested solid m , mixed Employees at ÖBf Group2 2,947 1,227 1,192 Timber harvested1 (=felling) 1,535 1,528 1,527 Employees at affiliates 1,763 94 96 ÖBf AG in 1,000 harvested solid m3, mixed Employees at ÖBf AG3 1,184 1,133 1,096 Total area ÖBf AG in ha 850,000 850,000 850,000 as per company measurement Salaried employees at ÖBf AG 604 608 606 View from the Echerntal valley Wage earners at ÖBf AG 580 525 490 Forest area in ha 510,000 510,000 510,000 towards Lake Proportion of women ÖBf AG 16.0 16.6 17.2 Financial figures ÖBf AG (as of 31.12) in % Hallstatt (Upper Austria). 2013 2014 2015 Nature ÖBf AG Total output in € million 237.9 234.0 231.2 2013 2014 2015 Operating profit (EBIT) in € million 24.5 27.0 25.2 Forest management – planting of seedlings 3,128 3,233 3,117 Return on sales (profit on ordinary activities after rights (afforestation) in 1,000 forest plants 10.3 13.7 11.5 of usufruct/revenues) in % Forest and fauna – number of young 5,780 5,466 5,841 Equity ratio ÖBf AG in % 51.8 51.2 50.2 browsing-damaged stems per ha4 1) Solid timber, including timber for beneficiaries of forest utilisation rights 2) In full-time equivalents; on a yearly average; deviations to previous yearly reports due to a calculation conversion 3) Excluding employees in leave-of-absence phase of progressive retirement 4) Applies to areas with young trees, corresponding to around 26% of the total number of plants per ha Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) of ÖBf AG – /W.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eagle 2005
    CONTENTS Message from the Master .. .. .... .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .... ..................... 5 Commemoration of Benefactors .. .............. ..... ..... ....... .. 10 Crimes and Punishments . ................................................ 17 'Gone to the Wars' .............................................. 21 The Ex-Service Generations ......................... ... ................... 27 Alexandrian Pilgrimage . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .................. 30 A Johnian Caricaturist Among Icebergs .............................. 36 'Leaves with Frost' . .. .. .. .. .. .. ................ .. 42 'Chicago Dusk' .. .. ........ ....... ......... .. 43 New Court ........ .......... ....................................... .. 44 A Hidden Treasure in the College Library ............... .. 45 Haiku & Tanka ... 51 and sent free ...... 54 by St John's College, Cambridge, The Matterhorn . The Eagle is published annually and other interested parties. Articles members of St John's College .... 55 of charge to The Eagle, 'Teasel with Frost' ........... should be addressed to: The Editor, to be considered for publication CB2 1 TP. .. .. .... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .... .. .. .. ... .. .. 56 St John's College, Cambridge, Trimmings Summertime in the Winter Mountains .. .. ... .. .. ... ... .... .. .. 62 St John's College Cambridge The Johnian Office ........... ..... .................... ........... ........... 68 CB2 1TP Book Reviews ........................... ..................................... 74 http:/ /www.joh.cam.ac.uk/ Obituaries
    [Show full text]
  • 1955 Number 13
    Organized 1906 Incorporated 1913 The Mountaineer Volume 48 December 28, 1955 Number 13 Editor Boa KOEHLER Dear Mountaineer, This is your Annual. You-the Tacoma Editor climbers, viewfinders, trail trippers, BRUNHILDE WISLICENUS campcra£ters, skiers, photographers -made it possible because of your extensive programs throughout Everett Editors 1955. And some of you even took KE ' CARPENTER time to report your activities and GAIL CRUMMETT to prepare articles of general in­ GERTRUDE SCHOCK terest. To all of you, thanks a lot. There are a number of Moun­ Editorial Assistant taineers who, although their names MORDA c. SLAUSO do not appear on the masthead, contributed significantly to this Climbing Adviser yearbook. They are, of course, too DICK MERRITT numerous to mention. We hope you like our idea of issu­ Membership Editor ing the Annual after the hustle and LORETT A SLATER bustle of tl1e holiday season has passed. Membership Committee: Winifred A. Smith, Tacoma; Violet Johnson, Everett; If your yef1r of mountaineering Marguerite Bradshaw, Elenor Buswell, has been as rewarding as ours, Ruth Hobbs, Lee Snider, typists and then we know it has indeed been proofreaders. most successful. B. K. Advertising Typist: Shirley Cox COPYRIGHT 1955 BY THE MOUNTAINEERS, Inc. (1) CONTENTS General Articles CONQUERING THE WISHBONE ARETE-by Don Claunch .... .....................·-················-··· 7 ADVENTURING IN LEBANO -by Elizabeth Johriston ····-···············-··········-·······-····· 11 MouNT RAINIER IN I DIAN LEGE TDRY-by Ella E. Clark···········-······-·····-·-·······-··- 14 SOME CLIMBS IN THE TETONS-by Maury Muzzy·····--··-····--·-··-····-···--········-- 17 Wu,TER FuN FOR THE WEn-FooTED--by Everett Lasher_···-·····-··-··-····-··········-- 18 MIDSUMMER MAD rEss- an "Uncle Dudley". editorial .......·--······· ···-····--······--···-- 21 GLACIAL ADVANCES IN THE CASCADES-by Kermit Bengston and A.
    [Show full text]
  • Jury Convicts Man in Killing
    Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Olympics: USA men’s boxing has revival in Tokyo /B1 THURSDAY T O D A Y C I T R U S C O U N T Y & n e x t m o r n i n g HIGH 84 Numerous LOW storms. Localized flooding possible. 73 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com AUGUST 5, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 302 SO YOU KNOW I The Florida Depart- ment of Health Jury convicts man in killing has ceased the daily COVID-19 re- ports that have been used to track Michael Ball, 64, faces possibility of life in prison for shooting of neighbor changes in the MIKE WRIGHT It’s as simple as prison. Sentenc- video recording of an in- video. “I hate it but he number of corona- Staff writer that,” Ball said. ing was set for terview detectives con- didn’t give me no virus cases and A four-man, Sept. 15. ducted with Ball at the choice.” deaths in the state. A Beverly Hills man on two-woman jury Ball, 64, was county jail after the Ball said he had just trial for second-degree held Ball respon- charged in the shooting. finished cleaning the murder in the shooting sible, convicting March 25, 2020, During the interview, handgun when he stuffed NEWS death of a neighbor said him as charged death of 32-year- Ball repeatedly states he it in his waistband, cov- he was afraid for his life Wednesday eve- old Tyler Dorbert shot Dorbert out of fear ered with a sweatshirt, BRIEFS when he pulled the ning at the conclu- Michael on a street outside based on an assault that and went outside to get trigger.
    [Show full text]
  • Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and LMHC Massachusetts Holdings Inc
    OFFERING MEMORANDUM Liberty Mutual Group Inc. €750,000,000 2.75% Senior Notes due 2026 Irrevocably and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and LMHC Massachusetts Holdings Inc. Liberty Mutual Group Inc. (“Liberty Mutual”) is offering €750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.75% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). Liberty Mutual will pay interest on the Notes on May 4 of each year, beginning on May 4, 2017. The Notes will mature on May 4, 2026. Liberty Mutual may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the “make-whole” redemption price described in this Offering Memorandum. In addition, Liberty Mutual may redeem the Notes in whole, but not in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to the date of redemption, in the event of certain developments affecting U.S. taxation as described under “Description of Notes—Redemption for Tax Reasons.” The Notes will be Liberty Mutual’s unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of its existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. The Notes will be irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by each of Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. (“LMHC”) and LMHC Massachusetts Holdings Inc. (“Massachusetts Holdings”). The guarantees (the “Guarantees”) will be the unsecured senior obligations of both LMHC and Massachusetts Holdings and will rank equally in right of payment with all of their respective existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.
    [Show full text]
  • R&R 2019 GB.Indd
    12 n=1 LG Kelvin 3 days 12 12 6 days n=1 ER 30 days Research Report 2018 Research Report 2018 Table of contents Numerical weather prediction and data assimilations page 5 Process studies page 14 Climate page 22 Diagnostic, study and climate modelling, from season to century Impacts and adaptation Chemistry, aerosols and air quality page 34 Snow page 38 Oceanography page 41 Engineering, campaigns and observation products page 46 Observation engineering and products Campaigns Research and aeronautics page 54 Appendix page 59 Numerical weather prediction and data assimilations Meteo-France operates several state-of-the-art operational numerical weather prediction systems: a global one called ARPEGE and a convection-permitting one called AROME. AROME is run on many limited areas around the Globe, the instance covering mainland France (AROME-F) further benefits from a 3D variational data assimilation and it also provides ensemble forecasts. ARPEGE is run from 4D variational assimilations and also has both an ensemble of data assimilation as well as an ensemble forecast. Some of the most significant operational achievements of 2018 are the following ones: • The forecast range of AROME-F has been extended so as to cover the current day and the next one and the ensemble version is run 4 times/ day instead of 2. This prepares for extending the « vigilance » or public warning procedure from one to two days. • Forecasts from the overseas AROME areas all have a length of +42h. Significantly, they can be extended up to +78h if the situation requires it, which is when a tropical cyclone is threatening that area.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament
    2015 National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament Extemp Topic Area Analysis by Logan Scisco Introduction This Extemp Central topic analysis breaks down the thirteen topic areas that will be used for International and United States Extemporaneous Speaking at the 2015 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament in Dallas, Texas. This topic analysis is not sponsored by the NSDA and the author has not participated in writing questions for the NSDA National Tournament. His advice is based on their years of experience as competitors and/or judges at the tournament. For each topic area, extempers will find an explanation of big issues, strategy tips, and a list of practice questions that they can use to prepare for the tournament. The end of the book also has a listing of how this year’s premium topic briefs fit within each area, so extempers can look to that if they wish to get more detail about a specific issue. It is my hope that extempers and their coaches will find this topic area analysis useful in their preparation for this year’s NSDA National Tournament. I thank you for reading it and using Extemp Central for extemporaneous speaking resources. If you have any comments about this topic area analysis, or any Extemp Central services, please forward them to me at [email protected]. -Logan Scisco Extemp Central Founder About the Authors Logan Scisco competed for Danville High School (KY) between 2000 and 2004. He was the 2003 National Final Round Champion in United States Extemp and was a semi-finalist in USX in 2002.
    [Show full text]
  • New Edition of the International Cloud Atlas by Stephen A
    BULLETINVol. 66 (1) - 2017 WEATHER CLIMATE WATER CLIMATE WEATHER New Edition of the International Cloud Atlas An Integrated Global The Evolution of Greenhouse Gas Information Climate Science: A System, page 38 Personal View from Julia Slingo, page 16 WMO BULLETIN The journal of the World Meteorological Organization Contents Volume 66 (1) - 2017 A New Edition of the International Secretary-General P. Taalas Cloud Atlas Deputy Secretary-General E. Manaenkova Assistant Secretary-General W. Zhang by Stephen A. Cohn . 2 The WMO Bulletin is published twice per year in English, French, Russian and Spanish editions. Understanding Clouds to Anticipate Editor E. Manaenkova Future Climate Associate Editor S. Castonguay Editorial board by Sandrine Bony, Bjorn Stevens and David Carlson E. Manaenkova (Chair) S. Castonguay (Secretary) . 8 R. Masters (policy, external relations) M. Power (development, regional activities) J. Cullmann (water) D. Terblanche (weather research) Y. Adebayo (education and training) Seeding Change in Weather F. Belda Esplugues (observing and information systems) Modification Globally Subscription rates Surface mail Air mail 1 year CHF 30 CHF 43 by Lisa M.P. Munoz . 12 2 years CHF 55 CHF 75 E-mail: [email protected] The Evolution of Climate Science © World Meteorological Organization, 2017 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form by Dame Julia Slingo . 16 and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization, provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Edito- rial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or WMO Technical Regulations translate this publication (articles) in part or in whole should be addressed to: An interview with Dimitar Ivanov Chairperson, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) by WMO Secretariat .
    [Show full text]