Comparison of two meteorological models using self-organizing maps

Self-Organising Maps (SOM) method has been used for obtaining characteristic surface wind patterns modelled by two state-of-the-art mesoscale meteorological models, Aladin/HR and WRF-ARW, operational in the northern Adriatic. SOM patterns encompassed major wind regimes in the area, bura, jugo and maestral-tramontana winds, which did not differ much between models. However, the largest difference occurred in their temporal evolution, especially during transitional periods and for sea-breeze winds, which were not properly described by Aladin/HR patterns. We found the wind patterns more related to the actual synoptic situation and less dependent on the numerical model used.