Model Domain
| A model domain is a more or less rectangular area, for which the weather is calculated in 3-dimensions. The domain is divided into grid cells, which are ordeed in rectangular shape, like on a chessboard. Domains are also called "model domain", "model Area", "forecast area" or "area for calculation". A domain is established to increase the resolution of the calculation for a certain area, where more precise weather information is needed, for example an area with mountains, many lakes or high concentration of renewable energy production. For these area, the distance between grid cells is reduced, so more calculation points are available. For other areas with "easy" topography (like oceans), or of less interest (like deserts), high resolution calculation would normally be too expensive. The domain is "embedded" (inserted) into a larger Domain (or a global model) which provides the starting and boundary conditions for calculation (what happens "at the beginning" and what comes in/moves out after 1, 2, 3 etc hours. |
NMM modelling
meteoblue NMM weather models are based on the NMM (Nonhydrostatic Meso-Scale Modelling) technology.
Models calculation is done for "domains" - large areas covering parts of or entire continents, for which a complete forecast is calculated. Domains are embedded in larger scale Global Models, which provide the "boundary" conditions (e.g. the air currents coming into or moving out of the domain area) for the days of the forecast.
Each domain is divided into grid cells which are rectangularly arranged and evenly spaced between each other. The average distance between the grid centers (grid points) is the "spatial resolution ", which varies from 25 km down to 1 km. Domains typically have 55 atmospheric levels, which range from the surface to approximately 14 Kilometers altitude.
Each grid cell has its own position, altitude, exposition, land surface type and boundary conditions. The altitude is defined using the median altitude of the grid cell area, as taken from high resolution (~100 m) Land Surface models.
This approach allows calculation of the weather specifically for each area, with uniform high quality from a city center over airports to distant mountains areas, and provides a unique weather forecast quality and consistency.
Models calculation is done for "domains" - large areas covering parts of or entire continents, for which a complete forecast is calculated. Domains are embedded in larger scale Global Models, which provide the "boundary" conditions (e.g. the air currents coming into or moving out of the domain area) for the days of the forecast.
Each domain is divided into grid cells which are rectangularly arranged and evenly spaced between each other. The average distance between the grid centers (grid points) is the "spatial resolution ", which varies from 25 km down to 1 km. Domains typically have 55 atmospheric levels, which range from the surface to approximately 14 Kilometers altitude.
Each grid cell has its own position, altitude, exposition, land surface type and boundary conditions. The altitude is defined using the median altitude of the grid cell area, as taken from high resolution (~100 m) Land Surface models.
This approach allows calculation of the weather specifically for each area, with uniform high quality from a city center over airports to distant mountains areas, and provides a unique weather forecast quality and consistency.
World coverage
Specific meteoblue models are calculated for the listed areas (domains) with the following resolution and boundary points:
|
|
Model resolution at each location
You can check the model resolution at each location easily on our website: Search the place (note: you can also enter coordinates directly into the search box), and then look at the rainSP☼T: with the radius shown, you can determine the underlying model resolution in the following way:
Display Text (Resolution)
rainSP☼T: Precipitation within up to 15 km = NMM-03 ( 3 kilometers)
rainSP☼T: Precipitation within up to 35 km = NMM-12 (12 kilometers)
rainSP☼T: Precipitation within up to 55 km = NMM-18 (18 kilometers)
rainSP☼T: Precipitation within up to 60 km = GFS-25 (25/50 kilometers)
Technical information (Programmers)
Model resolution and data management is further described in this document.