Numerical weather prediction

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) uses computer models of the Earth system to predict weather. Numerical Weather Prediction models may be global or regional, and typically represent meteorological variables in three spatial dimensions as they evolve in time.

These NWP models are based on the equations of motion as well as equations that govern the conservation of energy and mass.

Global models are generally based on a two-dimensional spectral horizontal coordinate system with a discrete finite-difference vertical coordinate.

Regional models are generally finite-difference in all three spatial dimensions.