An investigation of water and energy budgets for the BALTEX region based on short-range numerical weather predictions

Abstract

The Baltic Sea Experiment (BALTEX) aims at understanding the water and energy budget of the Baltic Sea region and of the catchment area of its tributaries. Some of the budget components are investigated using results of short-range numerical weather predictions. Comparing these modelling results with climatological estimates of the respective budget components provides a valuable tool for model validation. At the same time, budget components which are not likely to be determined from observations, as, e.g., area mean evaporation, are available from model results. Thus, complete and consistent water and energy budgets can, at least in principle, be gained from model simulations. This study indicates the overall ability of the model to simulate the gross features of the water and energy budgets of the BALTEX region. Some model deficiencies are also clearly recognizable. They require further attention and instigate model improvement.