Using operationally synthesized multiple-Doppler winds for high resolution horizontal wind forecast verification

The potential value of operational Doppler radar networks for high resolution wind forecast verification is investigated through comparing wind outputs of the cloud resolving model AROME against newly available operational multiple-Doppler winds in northern France. Quantitative comparisons of radar and model winds for a 16-h frontal precipitation event show good agreement, with differences in wind speed (resp. direction) generally comprised between +/- 2.5 m.s(-1) (resp. +/- 15 degrees). Power spectra deduced from the scale decomposition of radar and model outputs also show good agreement through all scales. The method is also applied to validate the divergence structures as analyzed by AROME's 3Dvar assimilation system that considers, among a comprehensive set of observation types, the same radial velocities than those considered in the wind retrieval.