The Hybrid Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter

Hybrid data assimilation methods combine elements of ensemble Kalman filters (EnKF) and variational methods. While most approaches have focused on augmenting an operational variational system with dynamic error covariance information from an ensemble, this study takes the opposite perspective of augmenting an operational EnKF with information from a simple 3D variational data assimilation (3D-Var) method. A class of hybrid methods is introduced that combines the gain matrices of the ensemble and variational methods, rather than linearly combining the respective background error covariances. A hybrid local ensemble transform Kalman filter (Hybrid-LETKF) is presented in two forms: 1) a traditionally motivated Hybrid/Covariance-LETKF that combines the background error covariance matrices of LETKF and 3D-Var, and 2) a simple-to-implement algorithm called the Hybrid/Mean-LETKF that falls into the new class of hybrid gain methods. Both forms improve analysis errors when using small ensemble sizes and low observation coverage versus either LETKF or 3D-Var used alone. The results imply that for small ensemble sizes, allowing a solution to be found outside of the space spanned by ensemble members provides robustness in both hybrid methods compared to LETKF alone. Finally, the simplicity of the Hybrid/Mean-LETKF design implies that this algorithm can be applied operationally while requiring only minor modifications to an existing operational 3D-Var system.