Forecast of convective events via hybrid model: WRF and machine learning algorithms

• Published in: Applied computing and geosciences 2022-12, Vol.16, p.100099, Article 100099
• Main Authors: Uchôa da Silva, Yasmin, França, Gutemberg Borges, Ruivo, Heloisa Musetti, Fraga de Campos Velho, Haroldo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric discharge; Convective event; Data mining; Forecast; Machine learning
• ISSN: 2590-1974; 2590-1974
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acags.2022.100099

This presents a novel hybrid 24-h forecasting model of convective weather events based on numerical simulation and machine learning algorithms. To characterize the convective events, 13-year from 2008 up to 2020 of precipitation data from the main airport stations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and atmospheric discharges from the surrounding area of around 150 km are investigated. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to numerically simulate atmospheric conditions for every day in February, as it is the month with the greatest daily rate of atmospheric discharge for the data period. The p-value hypothesis test (with α=0.05) was applied to each grid point of the numerically predicted variables (defined as an independent attribute) to find those most associated with convective events using the output of the 3-D WRF grid. This one identified 36 attributes (or predictors) that were used as input in the machine learning algorithms' training-test process in this study. Several cross-validation training and testing experiments were carried out using the nine-selected categorical machine learning algorithms and the 36 defined predictors. After applying the boosting technique to the nine previously trained-tested algorithms, the results of the 24-h predictions of convective occurrences were deemed satisfactory. The RandomForest method produced the best results, with statistics values close to perfection, such as POD = 1.00, FAR = 0.02, and CSI = 0.98. The 24-h hindcast utilizing the nine algorithms for the 28 days of February 2019 was very encouraging because it was able to almost recreate the maturation phase of events and their eventual failures were noted during the formation and dissipation phases. The best and worst 24-h hindcast had POD = 0.97 and 0.88, FAR = 0.02 and 0.12, and CSI = 0.94 and 0.78, respectively. •A hybrid 24-h forecasting model of severe convective weather is proposed.•Outputs from the WRF model provides attributes for feeding a machine learning algorithm to classify the convective events.•The method for the attribute selection is based on the statistical p-value scheme.•This technique was able to identify a set of possible predictors associated with the occurrence of a convective event.