WRF-ARW variational storm-scale data assimilation: Current capabilities and future developments

The variational radar data assimilation system has been developed and tested for the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) model since 2005. Initial efforts focused on the assimilation of the radar observations in the 3-dimensional variational framework, and recently the efforts have been extended to the 4-dimensional system. This article provides a review of the basics of the system and various studies that have been conducted to evaluate and improve the performance of the system. Future activities that are required to further improve the system and to make it operational are also discussed.