Have you noticed more accurate weather forecasts recently? We have been using a new computer model as one of our tools in preparing the weather forecast. The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) is the first weather forecasting model to be used by both research and operational meteorologists. The high resolution model has already cut errors in nighttime temperature and humidity across the eastern United States by over 50 percent. This model is also used by the US Air Force Weather Agency, and they have noticed better flight level wind forecasts in the tropics. The AFWA also says the WRF outperforms other models by over 70 percent.

The WRF is a global forecasting model, and is being used by weather agencies in Taiwan, South Korea, China and India. It is also hoped that by the end of 2007 this model will be used in forecasts that serve more than a third of the world's population. NOAA is also developing a hurricane oriented version of the WRF, to be called the HWRF.

Here is the WRF forecast for tomorrow evening. The WRF has the arctic front moving through southeast Oklahoma with thunderstorms and rain across the area. It also calls for ice and snow to develop tomorrow night.