Nonhydrostatic, Mesobeta-Scale Model Simulations of Cloud Ceiling and Visibility for an East Coast Winter Precipitation Event

Experiments are described that provide an example of the baseline skill level for the numerical prediction of cloud ceiling and visibility, where application to aviation-system safety and efficiency is emphasized. Model simulations of a light, mixed-phase, East Coast precipitation event are employed to assess ceiling and visibility predictive skill, and its sensitivity to the use of data assimilation and the use of simple versus complex microphysics schemes. To obtain ceiling and visibility from the model-simulated, state-of-the-atmosphere variables, a translation algorithm was developed based on empirical and theoretical relationships between hydrometeor characteristics and light extinction. The model-simulated ceilings were generally excessively high; however, the visibility simulations were reasonably accurate and comparable to the existing operational terminal forecasts. The benefit of data assimilation for such very short-range forecasts was demonstrated, as was the desirability of employing a reasonably sophisticated microphysics scheme.