Dr David Simonin

Biography

David's current work focuses on the assimilation of radar derived refractivity change observations in high-resolution convective-scale NWP models. He works in the Data Assimilation @ Reading Group based at MetOffice@Reading Unit at the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading. Areas of expertise: Assimilation of Doppler Radar Radial Wind observations Weather Radar Current activities: There is an increasing demand for high resolution weather prediction, which in the UK has an emphasis on accurate forecasts/nowcasts of strong convective storms which in recent years have been responsible for major flooding events. In response, the Met Office is developing a numerical weather prediction system using a 1.5km version of the Unified Model for short range Met Office Numerical Weather Prediction models and nowcasting. Such a system requires the assimilation of high temporal and spatial resolution observations. One potentially vital observation is provided by weather radar. David's current efforts are focusing on the Data Assimilation and Ensembles of Radial Wind velocity observations provided by the UK Radar network into high-resolution Met Office Numerical Weather Prediction models models, including the 1.5km-resolution model Unified Model. This work involve the quality control and thinning/superposing of the observations. Some efforts is also devoted to the error characteristics of the Radial Wind. Career background: David has worked for the Met Office JRC since September 2007. Prior to joining the Met Office, David completed an MSC degree in Oceanography at the University of Southampton, then completed a PHD on the automatic detection of Internal Waves in SAR imagery at the same university. In 2002 David joined Vexcel UK as a scientist. In the following 5 years David's work mainly involved the Arctic sea ice, from monitoring to decadal variability, including comparison between Observations and the Met Office Climate model (HadCM3, GISS ModelE). Since joining the Met Office in 2007, David has focused on the assimilation of Doppler Radar Radial Wind into Met Office NWP models.

Research Interest

Assimilation of Doppler Radar Radial Wind into Met Office NWP models.