Memorandum of Understanding:

Forward models and metrics for model evaluation.

Achievements:

• WG1 has investigated the impact of ALC network observations on improving weather forecast. Preliminary studies have been made at ECMWF of assimilating ALC data on smoke from Canadian forest fires: http://www.toprof.imaa.cnr.it/images/toprof/short_term_scientific_mission/STSM_Scientific_Report_Hervo.pdf
• WG2 has investigated the use of DWL measurements for evaluation of wind-speed prediction by numerical weather prediction models: http://www.toprof.imaa.cnr.it/images/toprof/short_term_scientific_mission/STSM_Scientific_Report_EkaterinaBatchvarova.pdf
• WG3 developed a fast forward model suitable for the direct assimilation of ground-based MWR, RTTOVgb: https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-2721-2016
• WG3 has shown an analysis of the MWR DA potential impact for improving the forecasts of heavy rainfall events in the Mediterranean: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/qj.2860/pdf