• Atmosphere
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.511-523
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• 2021

This study explores the optimal ensemble size to improve the prediction performance of the Korea Meteorological Administration's operational climate prediction system, global seasonal forecast system version 5 (GloSea5). The GloSea5 produces an ensemble of hindcast data using the stochastic kinetic energy backscattering version2 (SKEB2) and timelagged ensemble. An experiment to increase the hindcast ensemble from 3 to 14 members for four initial dates was performed and the improvement and effect of the prediction performance considering Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Anomaly Correlation Coefficient (ACC), ensemble spread, and Ratio of Predictable Components (RPC) were evaluated. As the ensemble size increased, the RMSE and ACC prediction performance improved and more significantly in the high variability area. In spread and RPC analysis, the prediction accuracy of the system improved as the ensemble size increased. The closer the initial date, the better the predictive performance. Results show that increasing the ensemble to an appropriate number considering the combination of initial times is efficient.

• Atmosphere
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2024

This paper aims to provide a detailed introduction to the concept of the Ratio of Predictable Component (RPC) and the Signal-to-Noise Paradox. Then, we derive insights from them by exploring the paradoxical features by conducting a seasonal and regional analysis through ensemble expansion in KMA's climate prediction system (GloSea). We also provide an explanation of the ensemble generation method, with a specific focus on stochastic physics. Through this study, we can provide the predictability limits of our forecasting system, and find way to enhance it. On a global scale, RPC reaches a value of 1 when the ensemble is expanded to a maximum of 56 members, underlining the significance of ensemble expansion in the climate prediction system. The feature indicating RPC paradoxically exceeding 1 becomes particularly evident in the winter North Atlantic and the summer North Pacific. In the Siberian Continent, predictability is notably low, persisting even as the ensemble size increases. This region, characterized by a low RPC, is considered challenging for making reliable predictions, highlighting the need for further improvement in the model and initialization processes related to land processes. In contrast, the tropical ocean demonstrates robust predictability while maintaining an RPC of 1. Through this study, we have brought to attention the limitations of potential predictability within the climate prediction system, emphasizing the necessity of leveraging predictable signals with high RPC values. We also underscore the importance of continuous efforts aimed at improving models and initializations to overcome these limitations.