Bias Correction for Global Ensemble Forecast

The main task of this study is to introduce a statistical postprocessing algorithm to reduce the bias in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) ensemble forecasts before they are merged to form a joint ensemble within the North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS). This statistical postprocessing method applies a Kalman filter type algorithm to accumulate the decaying averaging bias and produces bias-corrected ensembles for 35 variables. NCEP implemented this bias-correction technique in 2006. NAEFS is a joint operational multimodel ensemble forecast system that combines NCEP and MSC ensemble forecasts after bias correction. According to operational statistical verification, both the NCEP and MSC bias-corrected ensemble forecast products are enhanced significantly. In addition to the operational calibration technique, three other experiments were designed to assess and mitigate ensemble biases on the model grid: a decaying averaging bias calibration method with short samples, a climate mean bias calibration method, and a bias calibration method using dependent data. Preliminary results show that the decaying averaging method works well for the first few days. After removing the decaying averaging bias, the calibrated NCEP operational ensemble has improved probabilistic performance for all measures until day 5. The reforecast ensembles from the Earth System Research Laboratory’s Physical Sciences Division with and without the climate mean bias correction were also examined. A comparison between the operational and the bias-corrected reforecast ensembles shows that the climate mean bias correction can add value, especially for week-2 probability forecasts.