Weather forecast services

EXPERIENCE

SOLUTE is able to issue internal weather forecasts for its employees and has technicians specialised in weather forecasting as part of their staff, who have worked for different media outlets (RTVE, eltiempo.es).

METHODOLOGY

Through the use of different web applications, we are able to query data and maps from the weather models (GFS, HRES, AROME, ICON, etc.). Subsequently, using audiovisual generation tools, a suitable format is obtained for disseminating weather data and information that is reliable and current.

To achieve these objectives, certain technical skills are required such as know-how of the atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, numeric time modelling, analysis and interpretation of weather models, inter-comparison of weather models, knowledge of mesoscale or local phenomena which effects could be hidden in mathematical models, freedom in terms of the use of official sources and querying of databases or monitoring and understanding the state of the atmosphere in real time based on different types of observations (satellite, radar, weather stations, METAR, etc.).

The theories and procedures are based on the practical guide of public weather services of the OMM, which includes the steps to follow for generating an effective and quality forecasting service for creating the contents of the audiovisual weather information.

In terms of the technical capabilities, we have tools available such as our own general forecasting display system (https://aphelion.com.es/), great computational capability, mass storage and automation and monitoring systems that provide support during the execution and post-processing of our own WRF-Aphelion operating model and the Aphelion Weather Forecasting Web Platform.

Also relevant is the fact we have a vast database of weather observations and quick access to updated weather models. The technical support team for this display must be comprised of a Full Stack Developer and a Back-end engineer.

With all of this, from SOLUTE we evaluate and verify our forecasts by comparing them to observations of different origins, cross-checking between the different sources of information. Then, we establish the current state of the atmosphere based on monitoring data in real time and the analysis done to devise the initial operating conditions, also using numeric weather models analysis and short term forecasts.

Based on the initial conditions defined in the previous section and by querying the weather models and cross-comparing them (taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of each one in representing the different atmospheric scales and their characteristics, such as resolution, physical parameterisation, time step, dynamic of the model, etc.), we generate the short term weather forecast (1-3 days).

Afterwards, we check the mid and long term models that consider other factors such as remote-connection mechanisms for creating the midterm forecast (3 - 10 days) and seasonal (1 - 4 months). With the information previously collected, based on the different tools, such as croma for creating videos, Aphelion Weather for generating maps and animation, we proceed to generate the audiovisual material as well as creating and developing dissemination content of any subject related with the weather that is capable of providing up-to-date information about subjects of interest such as climate change, or which may be used as teaching material for the general public, such as the explanation of atmospheric optical phenomena, quality of the air, pollen, how storms evolve, fog, etc.