Research Abstracts 1995-1996: Report No. 96-04

Barbour, P.L. and S. N. Walker, "Mesoscale Modeling Review and Implications to Forecasting,” OSU Wind Research Cooperative, WRC Report No. 96-04, 16 pp, $5.00. 

In recent years there has been a movement towards the development and use of mesoscale numerical weather predictions (NWP) models in operational forecast settings. The high resolution of mesoscale models allows a better representation of local and regional atmospheric features and improves the treatment of topographically influenced processes. These models have a great potential for many applications. This work provides an overview of how the operational use of a mesoscale model could be used in both wind energy and general utility applications. This includes discussions of the potential methods of converting mesoscale model forecasts to utility forecasts and discussions about the possible uses. Also included is a program plan outlining the steps required to produce utility useful forecasts.