Significance of Helsinki Testbed in research Overall themes: Mesoscale atmospheric research Forecast models development and verification Dispersion models development and verification Data distribution, open data policy Distinct four-season environment / Jani Poutiainen, FMI

”A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, private-sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional [insert phenomenon or forecast challenge] problems with a strong connection to the end-users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision-making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as long-term commitments and partnerships.” A definition for ”testbed” (Dabberdt et al. 2004):

Mesoscale terminology Space scaleTime scale Meso-α km6 h – 2 d Meso-β km30 min – 6 h Meso-γ2-20 km3-30 min Orlanski (1975)

Benefits Testbed provides: Exceptionally dense mesoscale observing network: sets grounds for internationally significant innovation environment. Support for the anticipated future emphasis in analysis and forecasting of highly localized meteorological phenomena. Large mesoscale research data set is building up, which e.g. contains unique data and opportunities for surface layer studies and high resolution models. brings together various new and old observation sources (WXT, ceilos, weighing gauges, profiler, sounding, radars, etc.) Networking of academic, government, industrial interest groups: brings together multi-faceted communities (see definition of testbed) exceeding of critical mass strengthens all Finnish atmospheric interest groups and attracts top researchers enables improved research funding opportunities

Such a big effort gives strong internationally advantageous position to anyone having interest in the area of small scale atmospheric research (Dabberdt et al. 2004)

Initially specific HTB project research areas: Air quality modeling Meteorological pre-processing model development Operative air quality forecast model development Air quality model validation NWP models Modeling of measurement campaigns Study of atmospheric processes Mesoscale data-assimilation Model verification

Remote sensing Precipitation type Mesoscale fog 2D-diagnostics and verification Temperature inversion strength and height Sea breeze occurrence, coverage and strength Convection and nowcasting Road weather modeling HS Development of surface temperature forecasting Improvement of road weather type interpretation E.g. all these themes would be good topics for study reports, considering in situ and/or remote sensing methods

Original measurement periods and themes: August 2005 Nowcasting by extrapolation, web-site World Championships in Athletics November 2005 Precipitation type January-February 2006 Stable boundary layer and inversions May 2006 Sea breeze, fog August 2006 Convection Snowing on Nov 20th 2004, Helsinki Convection on Jul 5th 2003, Helsinki