MASS model
The MASS model was exclusively licensed to Meteosim from the very beginning. Its staff has a very long experience with this state-of-the-art model -in some cases of more than 10 years- and has contributed to its development and improvement. With this model it has been possible to develop and offer a wide range of products adapted to specific requirements of each costumer needs.
MASS Wind and temperature forecast over the Iberian Peninsula.
ADVANTAGES:
The performance and reliability of the MASS model makes it very convenient in weather forecasting operational environments.
The format of the MASS output can be easily adapted to the specific customer requirements.
It is a stable and versatile model that can be run in any region all over the world.
Atmospheric Numerical Modeling
MASS is a limited area model originally developed by Meso Inc. to simulate the atmospheric flows at the mesoscale level. Most of the products offered by Meteosim are based on this model.
Available in both hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic versions, MASS –which stands for Mesoscale Atmospheric Simulation System– can be used to obtain accurate weather forecasts up to 72 hours ahead. As it is a limited area model, it requires boundary conditions which, along with the initial conditions, are provided by global atmospheric models such as the Global Forecast System (NCEP/NCAR) or the ECMWF model.
MASS numerically solves the set of atmospheric primitive equations which are based on the physical laws of momentum, mass and energy conservation, as well as the ideal gas law. In order to take into account the transfer of momentum, mass and energy between the surface and the atmosphere, and sub-grid processes, the model includes a complete set of parameterizations that deal with the planetary boundary layer, turbulence, diffusion, radiation, surface hydrology, convection and water phase changes.
A cascade of simulations can be launched in such a way that the output of a larger scale run is used as initial and boundary conditions for a smaller scale run. The typical spatial grid-point resolution for a hydrostatic simulation can be set at 50 km and, after several nestings, go down to 5 km. Resolutions can be improved to 1 km or even less with the non-hydrostatic version of MASS.
The performance and accuracy of the MASS model as a weather forecast tool makes it suitable to be run operationally by highly demanding customers. This is the case, among others, of Televisió de Catalunya, Borrasca S.L., the Fire Management Office, ENCE, Catalan Meteorological Service and Desafío Español 2007.
Likewise, MASS has been used by Meteosim to develop customized services for the Catalan Energy Institute, Iberdrola, Endesa Cogeneration and Renewables, and other international companies and institutions such as Aviabag Météorem, NASA, US army or the International Monetary Fund.
For several universities and research centers, Meteosim is a reliable provider of a variety of meteorological data and, in particular, the output of the MASS model.
