Convective‐scale assimilation of radar data: progress and challenges

Abstract Active research has been carried out in recent years to assimilate high‐resolution observations into numerical models to improve precipitation forecasting. Considerable progress has been made although great scientific and technological challenges still exist. This paper reviews techniques used in convective‐scale data assimilation research. Experiences in the assimilation of radar observations into high‐resolution numerical models are presented. A number of future challenges in convective‐scale data assimilation are discussed. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society