A Homogeneous Linear Estimation Method for System Error in Data Assimilation

In this paper, a new bias estimation method is proposed and applied in a regional ensemble Kalman filter （EnKF） based on the Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） Model. The method is based on a homogeneous linear bias model, and the model bias is estimated using statistics at each assimilation cycle, which is different from the state augmentation methods proposed in pre- vious literatures. The new method provides a good estimation for the model bias of some specific variables, such as sea level pres- sure （SLP）. A series of numerical experiments with EnKF are performed to examine the new method under a severe weather condi- tion. Results show the positive effect of the method on the forecasting of circulation pattern and meso-scale systems, and the reduc- tion of analysis errors. The background error covarianee structures of surface variables and the effects of model system bias on EnKF are also studied under the error covariance structures and a new concept ＇correlation scale＇ is introduced. However, the new method needs further evaluation with more cases of assimilation.