Material from: Linus


 


1. Overview

In the end of April 2025 Western Europe experienced unseasonally high temperatures.

 

2. Analyses and Observations

2.1 Event Definition

Currently based on the 2-metre temperature on 30 April 12UTC for a 0.25x0.25 degree box centred on Troyes, France (48.3N, 4E). An evolution plot is also available for the 3-day mean temperature (29 April -1 May).


2.2 Analyses

The plots below show analyses of T850 and z500 from 26 April to 2 May.

2.3 Observations


2.4 Climatological perspective

3. Forecasts

3.1 Data assimilation and observation usage

The plots below show the observation statistics for assimilation of 2-metre temperature (left) and 2-metre relative humidity (right), for the box 45-50N, 0-7E.

 

3.2 Single Forecasts for the event based on 00UTC forecasts (defined in Section 2.1)

Observations for the event

SYNOP observations (left) and ECMWF analysis (right).


Control forecast (IFS 9-km resolution)

Compared to the ECMWF analysis, one can note the colder temperatures over France. In the short-range forecasts one can see the sign of a heat-island over Paris and London.

DestinE (IFS 4.4km resolution)

AIFS -single (AIFSv1.0 ~0.25 resolution)

The warm temperatures over France is better captured in AIFS.

AIFS ensemble (AIFS diffusion ensemble ~1 degree resolution)

3.3 Ensemble distribution

EFI (based on IFS 9-km ensemble)

The plots below shows the EFI for 3-day mean temperature 29 April 1 May. The event was well captured at least from 24 April and onwads.

Forecast Evolution plot

The plot below shows the evolution plot for the 2-metre temperature on 30 April 12UTC for Troyes, France. The prediction was extremely good from AIFS-single. The IFS forecasts were much colder than AIFS-single and AIFS-CRPS, which were in line with the observation.

Legend:

Observation - green hourglass
Analysis - green dot
ENS CF - red dot
DestinE - dark-green dot
AIFS-single - cyan dot

ENS distribution - blue
AIFS-ENS-CRPS distribution - pink
ENS m-climate - cyan
ENS m-climate maximum - black triangle

The plot below shows the evolution plot for 3-day mean temperature for Troyes, France (see event definition). Same legend as above.

3.4 Sub-seasonal forecasts

 

3.5 Comparison with other centres


4. Hazard Forecasts


5. Dedicated Experiments


6. Event Summary

6.1 Good and bad aspects of the forecasts for the event

  • Extremely good prediction by AIFS-Single more than 7 days in advance
  • Good predictability for the event overall
  • Too cold temperatures in IFS over France

6.2 Experience from general performance/other cases


7. Additional material