Ensemble Forecast Sensitivity to Observations Impact (EFSOI) applied to a regional data assimilation system over Argentina

Abstract

Observations that are assimilated into numerical weather prediction systems are conformed by numerous data sets and their impact should be objectively evaluated. This can be efficiently achieved by the Forecast Sensitivity to Observation Impact (FSOI) methodology. In this study we explore the application of the ensemble formulation of FSOI (EFSOI) in a regional data assimilation system over Argentina, a data sparse region, and evaluate the observation networks that result beneficial and detrimental for the forecast. We focus on the analysis of both conventional and nonconventional surface weather stations’ impact.