Forecast Runs

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. When you run a forecast, simulations within the model alternatives are computed in sequential order (the program order you have established).

The table below provides suggested forecast runs. The keys are the codes 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.

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.

Creating a Forecast Run

To create a forecast run: 

1. From the CWMS CAVI main window, click the Setup tab. Select Forecast Runs from the Models menu, and the Forecast Run Editor dialog will open.
   
   
2. Click New Run. The bottom section of the Forecast Run Editor is now editable.
3. In the Name field (required), enter a name for the forecast run. You can enter a description in the Description box (optional).
4. Select the appropriate Program Order from the drop-down menu options. The Models tab is populated with the software applications that are part of the selected Program Order (Default in this example).
   1. The program order being used 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 field based on the individual model alternative keys (Setup Module).
   1. You are not required to select a model alternative for each of the models within the program order. You may choose to leave some blank based on the type of forecast run you are creating.
6. Once you have all model alternatives selected for the new forecast run, click Apply. The table in the upper section of the Forecast Run Editor will display the newly created forecast run.
7. Once the you have finished creating your forecast runs, click OK. The Forecast Run Editor will close.