Historical observation impact assessments for EUMETNET using the ALADIN/HU limited area model

Abstract

Two historical Observing System Experiment (OSE) studies using the ALADIN limited area model and its assimilation system are described. The first study, using an OSE scenario that minimizes the impacts of observations through the lateral boundary conditions, demonstrated the importance of each assimilated terrestrial (radiosonde, aircraft, and wind profiler) observations on the analyses and short-range forecasts of the ALADIN/HU model and proved evidence, that the role of conventional observations cannot be even partly taken over by satellite measurements without degradation of the forecast quality. The second study demonstrated that the assimilation of radiosonde observations remains indispensable even with a progressively increasing amount of aircraft measurements.