Advances in computers have provided the means
for generating fine resolution mesoscale numerical
weather predictions (NWPs). Each computer
advance brings demands for forecasts on ever
smaller scales, especially by such disciplines as air
pollution modeling and fire weather forecasting.
Weather forecasts and observations on very small
scales are essential for driving the models used in
these important decision-making processes. Even
with the improvements in mesoscale NWPs, the
horizontal scales desired by these communities are
still too small to be treated by current computer
technology in a timely and practical fashion. Even
if the computer resources were adequate,
mesoscale model parameterizations are not
necessarily appropriate for these small scales,
thereby potentially introducing significant model
error in mesoscale NWPs.The use of supercomputers supported by the Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program was necessary to generate the results presented in this study