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A low-order model investigation of the analysis of gravity waves in the ensemble Kalman filter.

Neef, L. J., Polavarapu, S. M. and Shepherd, T. G. (2009) A low-order model investigation of the analysis of gravity waves in the ensemble Kalman filter. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 66 (6). pp. 1717-1734. ISSN 0022-4928

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1175/2008JAS2585.1

Abstract/Summary

The behavior of the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is examined in the context of a model that exhibits a nonlinear chaotic (slow) vortical mode coupled to a linear (fast) gravity wave of a given amplitude and frequency. It is shown that accurate recovery of both modes is enhanced when covariances between fast and slow normal-mode variables (which reflect the slaving relations inherent in balanced dynamics) are modeled correctly. More ensemble members are needed to recover the fast, linear gravity wave than the slow, vortical motion. Although the EnKF tends to diverge in the analysis of the gravity wave, the filter divergence is stable and does not lead to a great loss of accuracy. Consequently, provided the ensemble is large enough and observations are made that reflect both time scales, the EnKF is able to recover both time scales more accurately than optimal interpolation (OI), which uses a static error covariance matrix. For OI it is also found to be problematic to observe the state at a frequency that is a subharmonic of the gravity wave frequency, a problem that is in part overcome by the EnKF.However, error in themodeled gravity wave parameters can be detrimental to the performance of the EnKF and remove its implied advantages, suggesting that a modified algorithm or a method for accounting for model error is needed.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
ID Code:32034
Uncontrolled Keywords:Kalman filters, Ensembles, Model errors, Algorithms, Gravity waves
Publisher:American Meteorological Society

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