Evaluation of WRF model performances in different European regions with the DELTA-FAIRMODE evaluation tool

One-year (2006) WRF model simulations performed at a European scale with 30 and 10 km horizontal resolutions are evaluated against ECMWF-IFS forecasts (both at 0.2° and 0.5° horizontal resolution). The comparison with the wind speed observations from around 1200 surface stations is performed using the DELTA software, developed in the framework of FAIRMODE. Generally, ECMWF forecasts are pretty good in terms of different statistical indices over most of the domain, while WRF model simulations are less skilful, producing a larger bias and RMSE. Then, the statistical indices are evaluated in some specific areas, i.e. near Berlin, which is one of the urban areas where the model performance is better, and in the Alpine area, where the model skill is very low. Some considerations about the interpretation of such results are finally provided.