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medium-range weather forecasting

meteorology

Quick Summary

Medium-range weather forecasting, typically covering periods of five to seven days, became a reality with the advent of global forecasting models in the 1980s. These models, developed by institutions like the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the U.S. National Meteorological Center (NMC), rely on data from meteorological satellites and other sources to provide a global view of atmospheric conditions.1

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are the foundation of modern forecasting. They use physics-based equations to calculate changes in weather patterns, transforming raw data into objective predictions. While human forecasters may interpret or adjust these computer-generated results, NWP models provide the essential starting point for most forecasts. Techniques like Model Output Statistics (MOS) further refine these predictions by developing statistical relationships between model outputs and observed weather to correct for model weaknesses and provide location-specific forecasts.23

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