Arnold Tafferner

High-Resolution Weather Database for the Terminal Area of Frankfurt Airport

Abstract A 1-yr meteorological dataset for the terminal area of Frankfurt Airport in Germany has been generated with a numerical weather prediction system to provide a synthetic though realistic database for the evaluation of new operational aircraft arrival procedures and their associated risks. The comparison of the 1-yr dataset with a local surface wind climatology indicates that the main climatological features are recovered. A subset of 40 days is validated against measurements from a sound detection and range/radio acoustic sounding system (SODAR/RASS) taken at Frankfurt Airport. The RMS errors of wind speed and direction are between 1.5 m s−1 at the surface and 2 m s−1 at 300 m and 40°, respectively. The frequency distribution of meteorological parameters, such as the wind component perpendicular to the glide path, shear, and thermal stratification, show good agreement with observations. The magnitude of the turbulent energy dissipation rate near the surface is systematically overestimated, whereas...

Evaluating High-Resolution Model Forecasts of European Winter Storms by Use of Satellite and Radar Observations

Abstract The forecasting performance of the operational Lokal Modell (LM) of the German Weather Service (DWD) is evaluated for two severe winter storms that crossed central Europe in December 1999. Synthetic satellite images constructed from model output fields are compared with observed imagery from a Meteosat satellite. Also, synthetic radar images constructed from forecast precipitation fields are taken for validation against observed precipitation as represented by the European radar composite of the DWD. Comparisons are performed by visual inspection of satellite and radar imagery and by calculating statistical measures such as frequency histograms of observed and synthetic brightness temperature. Whereas the visual inspection allows detection of even finescale details in both synthetic satellite and radar imagery, for example, the position of fronts and rainbands, the statistical analysis reveals model deficiencies with respect to the representation of upper-level cloudiness. The operational LM did ...

TOWARDS A GRID INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL RESEARCH

The Distributed Research Infrastructure for Hydro-Meteorological Study (DRIHMS) is a coordinatedaction co-funded by the European Commission. DRIHMS analyzes the main issuesthat arise when designing and setting up a pan-European Grid-based e-Infrastructure for researchactivities in the hydrologic and meteorological fields. The main outcome of the projectis represented first by a set of Grid usage patterns to support innovative hydro-meteorologicalresearch activities, and second by the implications that such patterns define for a dedicatedGrid infrastructure and the respective Grid architecture.

Satellite-Based Real-Time Thunderstorm Nowcasting for Strategic Flight Planning En Route

The added value of a satellite-based thunderstorm detection and nowcasting system with respect to flight safety and efficiency is shown by comparing onboard observations carried out by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt pilots to the detection and nowcasting information in both postflight analyses and in real time. For the first time, detection and nowcasting data could be successfully uplinked into the cockpit of aircraft during flight in real time, thereby demonstrating that these data are in good agreement with the returns of the onboard radar, and furthermore provide an overview of the thunderstorm situation around the aircraft and along the aircraft’s flight track. Pilots can use the detection and nowcasting information to strategically plan their route up to 1 h ahead in time. The result is safer flight routes that avoid inadvertent flights through areas where thunderstormrelated hazards like turbulence, icing, and hail occur. In addition, the improved strategic planning enables smarter flight routes, resulting in fuel savings, reduced delays, and less deviations to alternates.

Mitigating the Impact of Adverse Weather on Aviation

Weather has a significant impact on the safety and efficiency of air traffic during all phases of flight. Especially information on adverse weather must be tailored to the user’s needs, easy to understand, self-explaining and clear in its message. DLR-IPA has developed a concept and tools to detect, track and predict hazardous weather elements and provide this information in simple unambiguous form to controllers and pilots. It has been demonstrated that these products make a significant contribution to raising the safety and efficiency of the air transport system.

Weather Nowcasting and Short Term Forecasting

This article is about present weather and its immediate development, on the challenge of how to observe it, and how to forecast it in the short term. It touches on the problems meteorologists have in delivering reliable estimates of, e.g., which path a thunderstorm will take during its track, whether it will bring hail or just rain, or when there will be freezing conditions at an airport with subsequent problems for air traffic on ground, arrival and departure. Some illustrative examples are given, showing how the problems are tackled and how integrated forecasting systems, in particular, can be successful in meeting the challenge.