Verification of WRF forecasts for precipitation over Iran in the period Feb-May 2009

In this study the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model output for cumulative precipitation was verified for 336 meteorological stations over Iran from 1 Feb. 2009 through 31 May 2009. The verification process was performed to assess the performance of the model for precipitation forecasts in 42-, 66- and 90-h forecasts ranges. Different skill scores associated with contingency table was calculated for different thresholds of precipitation.The results showed that the performance of the model was varied for different precipitation thresholds, and the model showed more skill for smaller thresholds. In general it is found that the skill of the model for precipitation forecast during the period of study over Iran is satisfactory.