Hi,

Thursday 12th, we implemented a new GEM regional weather model with a new grid
extending a bit further north and south (thus bigger) but it has no impact with
the astro-weather production as you can judge from the Clear sky charts. I
double checked yesterday and this morning and all images are identical to the
old one.

The new model has new radiation, new topography, new soil and new albedo.In
other words, the cloud cover production for instance is totaly new in this
model. During the development of CCMRAD (Name of the new radiation-physic
schemes), I work closely with the develepment team to assure as good cloud
forecast quality as the old operational cloud cover forecasts. I have to say it
wasn't easy and I did a few presentations and suggestions about the cloud cover
system which was finally accepted... to my relief!

All this to say, the new cloud cover is as good as the older scheme and you will
see pratically no differences. I noticed the cloud cover is now a bit too
pessimistic in arctic airmass but I didn't see any bias in continental, polar or
maritime airmasses.
There are no impact in this model with the other fields, transparency,
and seeing forecasts! In fact the seeing can be improved as upper wind
verifications show big improvement in this new GEM-Regional model.

Clear skies....

* *
_~~~~~~~
Allan Rahill * * *( )
~~-(__ )
Centre meteorologique Canadien * (____ CMC )
Canadian Meteorological Center, Dorval, Canada (_______)
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