Building Tangent-Linear and Adjoint Models for Data Assimilation With Neural Networks

We assess the ability of neural network emulators of physical parametrization schemes in numerical weather prediction models to aid in the construction of linearized models required by four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation. Neural networks can be differentiated trivially, and so if a physical parametrization scheme can be accurately emulated by a neural network then its tangent-linear and adjoint versions can be obtained with minimal effort, compared with the standard paradigms of manual or automatic differentiation of the model code. Here we apply this idea by emulating the non-orographic gravity wave drag parametrization scheme in an atmospheric model with a neural network, and deriving its tangent-linear and adjoint models. We demonstrate that these neural network-derived tangent-linear and adjoint models not only pass the standard consistency tests but also can be used successfully to do 4D-Var data assimilation. This technique holds the promise of significantly easing maintenance of tangent-linear and adjoint codes in weather forecasting centers, if accurate neural network emulators can be constructed.

Automated summary

The study shows that neural networks can be used to quickly obtain the tangent-linear and adjoint versions of physical parametrization schemes, which is important for 4D-Var data assimilation in weather forecasting.