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Note: HRES and Ensemble Control Forecast (ex-HRES) are scientifically, structurally and computationally identical.  With effect from Cy49r1, Ensemble Control Forecast (ex-HRES) output is equivalent to HRES output where shown in the diagrams.   At the time of the diagrams, HRES had resolution of 9km and ensemble members had a resolution of 18km.

ecCharts

ecCharts is a web-based presentation system developed to show a very wide range of ECMWF IFS model output worldwide in chart form, and in a very flexible way under the control of the user.  This allows ECMWF's medium-range forecasts to be viewed in far greater detail than was previously possible on the web, with panning and zooming being key functionalities that are not provided by the standard web charts.  ecCharts allows several forecast fields to be superimposed for ease of inter-comparison.  These charts may be animated throughout the forecast period as an aid to understanding the forecast structure of the atmosphere.  Ensemble output may be displayed in probabilistic form or as several derived fields (e.g.vorticity, divergence, CAPE, CAPE-shear, etc).  Also are simulated IR and WV images derived using the control member (CTRL) of the medium range ensemble.   A probe tool is provided to allow display of values at a selected point at the chart time.  Results from the latest and previous forecast runs are also readily available.  Time sequences of variables at a selected point can also be displayed in graph form.  

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Fig10.2-1: ecChart DT 00Z 8 August 2017 T+00 VT 00Z 8 August 2017 from HRES showing the simulated water vapour image and 300hPa potential vorticity.  These can be compared with WV satellite imagery to highlight discrepancies between the modelled atmosphere and reality.  Stratospheric air (PV=2 taken as near the tropopause, greater PV values (shown purple)) imply stratospheric air has descended to 300hPa.  Descent is also implied by the darker areas of the simulated water vapour image.  Comparing WV imagery with simulated imagery and PV charts can provide a powerful method of identifying discrepancies between the modelled atmosphere and reality.

Note: HRES and Ensemble Control Forecast (ex-HRES) are scientifically, structurally and computationally identical.  With effect from Cy49r1, Ensemble Control Forecast (ex-HRES) output is equivalent to HRES output where shown in the diagrams.   At the time of the diagrams, HRES had resolution of 9km and ensemble members had a resolution of 18km.

Considerations when using ecCharts

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