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A simple approach for combining seasonal forecasts for southern Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2004

E. Klopper
Affiliation:
Meteorology Group, Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa Email: klopper@intekom.co.za
W. A. Landman
Affiliation:
Meteorology Group, Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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Abstract

Currently the South African Weather Service (SAWS) compiles seasonal rainfall and temperature outlooks by combining output from various models in a subjective manner. A group of scientists discusses the forecasts from a variety of models and then decides, from these discussions, what the strongest climate signal is. A map is drawn to represent the ‘gut feeling’ from the specialists based on the results from the various models. Although the models used are all scientifically sound, the compilation of the outlook remains subjective. In order to compile a single probability forecast out of the many different model outputs an objective method has to be implemented. This paper proposes such a method. The results were tested during the December–January–February season over a retroactive period from 1991/92 to 1999/2000. Results show that a combination of different models consistently delivers a more skilful forecast than any individual model on its own.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2003 Royal Meteorological Society

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