Tn. Palmer et al., A probability and decision-model analysis of PROVOST seasonal multi-model ensemble integrations, Q J R METEO, 126(567), 2000, pp. 2013-2033
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
A probabilistic analysis is made of seasonal ensemble integrations from the
PROVOST project (PRediction Of climate Variations On Seasonal to interannu
al Time-scales), with emphasis on the Brier score and related Murphy decomp
osition, and the relative operating characteristic. To illustrate the signi
ficance of these results to potential users, results from the analysis of t
he relative operating characteristic are input to a simple decision model.
The decision-model analysis is used to define a user-specific objective mea
sure of the economic value of seasonal forecasts. The analysis is made for
two simple meteorological forecast conditions or 'events', E, based on 850
hPa temperature. The ensemble integrations result from integrating four dif
ferent models over the period 1979-93. For each model a set of 9-member ens
embles is generated by running from consecutive analyses.
Results from the Brier skill score analysis taken over all northern hemisph
ere grid points indicate that, whilst the skill of individual-model ensembl
es is only marginally higher than a probabilistic forecast of climatologica
l frequencies, the multi-model ensemble is substantially more skilful than
climatology. Both reliability and resolution are better for the multi-model
ensemble than for the individual-model ensembles. This improvement arises
both from the use of different models in the ensemble, and from the enhance
d ensemble size obtained by combining individual-model ensembles; the latte
r reason was found to be the more important. Brier skill scores are higher
for years in which there were moderate or strong Fl Nino Southern Oscillati
on (ENSO) events. Over Europe, only the multi-model ensembles showed skill
over climatology. Similar conclusions are reached from an analysis of the r
elative operating characteristic.
Results from the decision-model analysis show that the economic value of se
asonal forecasts is strongly dependent on the cost, C, to the user of takin
g precautionary action against E, in relation to the potential loss, L, if
precautionary action is not taken and E occurs. However, based on the multi
-model ensemble data, the economic value can be as much as 50% of the value
of a hypothetical perfect deterministic forecast. For the hemisphere as a
whole, value is enhanced by restriction to ENSO years. It is shown that the
re is potential economic value in seasonal forecasts for European users. Ho
wever, the impact of ENSO on economic value over Europe is mixed; value is
enhanced by El Nino only for some potential users with specific C/L.
The techniques developed are applicable to complex E for arbitrary regions.
Hence these techniques are proposed as the basis of an objective probabili
stic and decision-model evaluation of operational seasonal ensemble forecas
ts.