A model is initialized by comparing the analysis charts using real observations to the forecast model's initialization (analysis) of that data. A model initializes well when the analysis chart looks similar to the model's initialization (on placement and central pressure of highs and lows, position of synoptic features). A model's initialization is the 00 hour data, thus it is not a true forecast product since it is trying the represent current conditions. Make sure when initializing a model that you compare them using the same time period. The analysis charts will come out before the model analysis images. The following website has analysis charts: http://www.atmos.albany.edu/weather/difax.html The following website is the model initializations: http://weather.unisys.com/nam/nam.php?plot=pres&inv=0&t=ini *at top of that webpage is a menu where you can switch between the different models and different levels |