A computationally lightweight model for ensemble forecasting of environmental hazards: General TAMSAT-ALERT v1.2.1

Abstract

Abstract. Efficient methods for predicting weather-related hazards are crucial for the effective management of environmental risk. Many environmental hazards depend on the evolution of meteorological conditions over protracted periods, requiring assessments that account for evolving conditions. The TAMSAT-ALERT approach addresses this challenge by combining observational monitoring with a weighted multi-year ensemble. In this way, it enhances the utility of existing systems by enabling users to combine multiple streams of monitoring and meteorological forecasting data into holistic hazard assessments. TAMSAT-ALERT forecasts are now used in a number of regions in the Global South for soil moisture forecasting, drought early warning and agricultural decision support. The model presented here, General TAMSAT-ALERT, represents a significant scientific and functional advance on previous implementations. Notably, General TAMSAT-ALERT is applicable to any variable for which time series data are available. In addition, functionality has been introduced to account for climatological non-stationarity (for example due to climate change), large-scale modes of variability (for example El Niño) and persistence (for example of land-surface conditions). In this paper, we present a full description of the model, along with case studies of its application to the prediction of central England temperature, Pakistan vegetation conditions and African precipitation.