A Grid-Enabled Regional-Scale Ensemble Forecasting System in the Mediterranean Area

ISSN： 1570-7873

Source： Journal of Grid Computing, Vol.8, Iss.2, 2010-06, pp. : 181-197

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Abstract

Numerical weather prediction applications require considerable processing power and data storage resources, and thus can benefit from the offerings of Grid technologies. In this paper we discuss the porting of such an application on the Grid infrastructure provided by the SEE-GRID-SCI European research project. This study explores the regional ensemble forecasting technique as a means to contribute to the improvement of weather forecasting in the Mediterranean. Indeed, a regional ensemble system was built, based on the use of two limited area models that are run using a multitude on initial and boundary conditions over the Mediterranean. This large-scale application involves the use of large infrastructures that are not easily available and thus its porting to the Grid at production level has been proved to be a challenging endeavour. The application workflow, the operational and Grid infrastructure requirements, and also the problems encountered are presented. Multiple requirements mainly related to the characteristics of the implemented workflow, the model characteristics and the limitations imposed by the Grid infrastructure itself, had to be satisfied. The paper concludes with a recent result of the implemented application. Indeed the regional scale ensemble forecasting system provided useful probabilistic forecasts for a severe thunderstorm case that affected Central Europe during the summer 2009 (with damages, casualties and several injuries).