| At ISAC-CNR in Bologna, research is being currently conducted in the field of short-range
mesoscale forecasting of precipitation and numerical models have been developed and
applied for this purpose. Recent experience has been built up in daily forecasting based on the
BOLAM-MOLOCH model chain, applied in a complex orography area like that
surrounding the Alps. Moreover, the MAP-DPHASE project has given an opportunity to
compare many models operating for several months an the Alpine area. Although high
resolution forecasting of orographic and especially convective precipitation remains an
open challenge, there are cases in which the relatively good predictability of the
synoptic scale environment and the spatial control exerted by the orography favours
useful forecasts of intense, localized precipitation events. Research topics devoted to
model verification and intercomparison in different projects, data assimilations
(especially regarding precipitation and geostationary satellite radiances), model
improvements and also theoretical aspects regarding a better understanding of mesoscale
instabilities (in particular moist symmetric instability) will be presented and discussed. |