Verification of limited-area models precipitation forecasts during the MAP-SOP

This contribution presents an extensive study about the performances and forecast skills for rain precipitations of several limited area models operating during the Special Observing Period of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP-SOP, Autumn 1999). Verification is carried out using the updated version of the MAP dataset. Observed data are submitted to a further validation procedure aimed at pointing out defective gauges. As a result, more than 500 stations over a domain surrounding the Alps have been selected. Several statistical indexes widely used in literature are computed using the ECMWF global model as reference. The performances of the limited area models are discussed in detail, paying particular attention to their behavior as a function of rain threshold.