ASTEX ECMWF Model Analyses for Atlantic Stratocumulus Study

About 650 special atmospheric soundings from the 1992 Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) were incorporated into this dataset. European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysts Ernst Klinker and Tony Hollingsworth prepared the products, which are initializations and short-range forecasts from the ECMWF T213L30 operational model. The data covers the ASTEX region from June 1 to June 28, 1992, with a horizontal resolution of 1.25 degrees.

Use Cases

• Validating ECMWF model forecasts against special ASTEX field observations for humidity and water vapor indicators.
• Analyzing surface wind patterns and vertical wind velocity dynamics over the Atlantic during the experiment period.
• Studying atmospheric heat flux and radiation budgets in a key stratocumulus-to-cumulus transition zone.
• Investigating the assimilation impact of special ship-based soundings (e.g., from Le Suroit, Valdivia) on model initializations.

Strengths

• Incorporates approximately 650 special field experiment soundings, enhancing routine global network data.
• Provides data at four daily initialization times (00, 06, 12, 18Z) with consistent 1.25-degree horizontal resolution.
• Includes both instantaneous and 6-hour accumulated forecast fields for temporal analysis.

Limitations

• Aircraft soundings from the experiment were not included in the analyses.
• Conflicting last update dates: NASA Earthdata lists 1992-06-28, while Data.gov lists 2026-03-13, suggesting metadata inconsistency.
• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided across platforms.

Provenance

Source

European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), reformatted by Chris Bretherton (University of Washington).

Collection Method

Model analyses (initializations/short-range forecasts) from the ECMWF T213L30 operational model, assimilating routine global observations and special ASTEX soundings sent via GTS.

Time Range

1992-06-01 to 1992-06-28

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:54:08.352700

Geography

Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) region, with data from stations including Santa Maria, Porto Santo, and research ships Le Suroit, Valdivia, and Malcolm Baldridge.