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Gridded Model Output Statistics (MOS)

Coop Tests for Maximum and Minimum Temperature Forecasts



In response to several complaints from the field concerning discrepancies between the max/min MOS grids and the MOS point values of max/min at corresponding locations, we have been investigating the effect of Cooperative stations located near METAR sites.

Cooperative sites contribute a large amount of detail to gridded MOS Max/Min forecasts, especially in data-sparse regions. However, the 24-hour reporting period used for coops can be difficult to match with the appropriate daytime maximum and nighttime minimum forecasts at METAR and mesonet sites.

We propose removing coop sites within 10 km of METAR sites. This will allow us to make the best use of coop sites where we need their added detail, but keep the grid forecasts nearer to the our daytime maximum and nighttime minimum definition where possible. Click here for a comma-delimited table listing all coop sites being considered for removal.

During the process of selecting coops and testing, we identified 12 coop sites that our objective land/water assignment method incorrectly identified as ocean stations (due to their location on small land features not well represented in our masks). We adjusted the land/water designation of these coops in our tables to reflect that they are more representative of land observations. Click here for a comma-delimited table listing the coop sites that were adjusted. These adjustments are not reflected in the case study maps below, with the exception of the differences in the Atlantic Ocean off the southeast US coast, where stations were both adjusted and removed from the MaxT/MinT analysis.



The map below displays all stations used in the GMOS MaxT/MinT analysis, divided by station type (please refer to the legend for station symbology). Coops proposed for removal are represented by red "X"s.

MOS and GMOS verification were used to assess areas where the grids contained larger forecast error than stations at the same point. The difference in GMOS and MOS mean MAE for July 2010 MinT is displayed as stars. Larger stars represent a greater difference in MAE. MAE differences greater than 2 degrees Fahrenheit are colored red; differences greater than 5 degrees Fahrenheit are colored dark red.

Download Hi-Resolution PDF (12 MB)



Case Study Images


Several case studies were prepared to evaluate the differences in the grids when coops located near METAR sites were removed from the analysis.



Forecast Valid Time Difference Map
20110224 00z GFS Daytime MaxT
20110225 00z
20110224 00z GFS Nighttime MinT
20110225 12z
20110227 00z GFS Daytime MaxT
20110228 00z
20110227 00z GFS Nighttime MinT
20110228 12z
20110227 00z GFS Daytime MaxT
20110301 00z
20110227 00z GFS Nighttime MinT
20110301 12z
20110227 12z GFS Nighttime MinT
20110228 12z
20110227 12z GFS Daytime MaxT
20110301 00z
20110227 12z GFS Nighttime MinT
20110301 12z
20110227 12z GFS Daytime MaxT
20110302 00z
5-Case Mean Daytime MaxT
5-Case Mean Nighttime MinT


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Office Of Science and Technology
Meteorological Development Laboratory
Statistical Modeling Branch
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Silver Spring, MD 20910
Page Author: MOS Web Team
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Page last Modified: Wednesday, 30 March 2011 15:45 UTC