A forecast run is a combination of model alternatives that run sequentially during a forecast. As with model alternatives, forecast runs exist independent of time. Therefore, you can use a forecast run for any forecast time window. You create a forecast run by selecting a model alternative for each software application that could be part of a CWMS forecast. There are seven standard programs in CWMS, a typical forecast run will include a combination of the six model alternatives. When you execute a forecast, CWMS executes the software applications in sequential order (the program order you have established).

The table below provides suggested forecast runs. The codes are the names CWMS automatically assigns to each forecast run based on the one-character Model Alternative keys you have assigned to the model alternatives. This coding is program order dependent.

Example Forecast Run

Name

Code

No future precipitation

NNNNN

QPF

QNNNN

Two times QPF

SWRBE


In the following example, the forecast run - Two times QPF has a key code of SWRBE. Each character in this key code is the key code that was assigned to each of the five model alternatives in the compute sequence.

Before creating a forecast run, you must establish model alternatives. Model Alternatives and Forecast Runs provides details on how to manage model alternatives. Creating forecast runs occurs in the Setup Module.

Example Forecast Run Concatenation

To create a forecast run: 

  1. From the CWMS CAVI main window, click the Setup tab. From the Models menu, select Forecast Runs. The Forecast Run Editor dialog will open.
    Forecast Run Editor Dialog
  2. Click New Run. The bottom section of the Forecast Run Editor is now editable. The Models tab is populated with the software applications that are part of the selected Program Order (Default).
  3. In the Name field (required), enter a name for the forecast run. You can enter a description in the Description box (optional).
  4.  The program order being used is displayed in the Program Order drop-down list and is not editable within this dialog. See Program Order for more details.
  5. From the software applications list, select the individual model alternates required for the forecast run. As you select those model alternatives, CWMS will automatically create the key for the forecast run in the Key box, based on the individual model alternative keys (Setup Module).
  6. Click Apply.  The table in the upper section of the Forecast Run Editor displays the newly created forecast run.
  7. Once the you have finished creating your forecast runs, click OK. The Forecast Run Editor will close.