Introduction to Weather Forecasting with the WRF Model

Name: Introduction to Weather Forecasting with the WRF Model
Rating: 4.1 (117 reviews)

WRF, numerical weather prediction, meteorology, atmospheric sciences

Created byHosni Snoun

Last updated 7/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Understand the fundamentals of the WRF model and its architecture.
Learn how to preprocess data using the WRF Preprocessing System (WPS).
Understand the data requirements for WRF modeling and how to obtain and prepare meteorological and land surface data.
Learn how to generate initial and boundary conditions for running WRF.
Understand the process of running WRF and how to configure the model.
Understand the options for physics schemes in the WRF model.
Learn how to run and post-process model outputs using the NCAR Command Language (NCL).
Understand how to verify model output with observations and analyze the model outputs.
Explore the applications of WRF model outputs in research and learn about advanced topics such as nested domains, advanced physical parameterizations, and more

Course content

7 sections • 19 lectures • 3h 31m total length

Introduction6:16
Master the weather research and forecasting model for practical forecasting, covering data preparation, initial and boundary conditions, model configuration, running, post-processing, visualization, and verification.

NWP, Brief history and development of WRF4:36
Learn how numerical weather prediction uses initial conditions and grid points to forecast atmosphere. The WRF model, a limited-area system since the late 1990s and supported by UCAR, advances forecasts.
Overview of WRF model architecture7:05
Explore how the WRF model architecture integrates a dynamic solver, physics parameterizations, and an input-output interface for high-resolution weather simulations. Emphasize open-source customization and data assimilation within the model.
Applications of WRF in weather forecasting and research7:55
Explore the WRF model's applications in weather forecasting and research, including short-term and long-term forecasts, severe weather prediction, air quality forecasting, climate modeling, and renewable energy forecasting.
Which from the following does not belong to WRF components?

Obtaining and compiling the WRF model0:28
geogrid, ungrib and metgrid programs7:00
Learn how the WRF model pre-processing system uses Geogrid, ungrib, and metgrid to prepare input data, generate initial and boundary conditions, and interpolate meteorological fields onto model grids.
Why we should perform a good design experiment?3:44
Learn why a well-planned regional climate experiment with the WRF model saves time by ensuring high-quality initial and boundary conditions, meteorological forcing, land surface, emissions, and configuration data.
Obtaining and preparing meteorological and land surface data9:09
Obtain and prepare meteorological and land surface data for WRF by downloading high-resolution GFS boundary data, managing large archives, and validating with Tunisian wind and temperature observations.
Generating initial and boundary conditions24:11
To supplement this lecture, here is the link to the 'Mastering WRF and WRF-Chem model installation' course:
https://ms-academy.systeme.io/wrfinstall
file generated from geogrid.exe
intial and lateral boundary condition files generated after running WPS

Configuration of namelist.input file and running WRF20:13
Configure WRF namelist.input to set time control and domain, select physics and dynamics options, and generate initial and boundary conditions from GFS for a 0.25 degree or 1 degree forecast.
Running and post-processing model outputs12:28
Learn to use the NCO toolkit to join, subset, and average NetCDF outputs from the WRF model, extract t2 with NQS, and convert results to csv or ascii formats.
extracting the boundary layer variable

Basic visualization of WRF model output with NCL17:49
Visualize WRF model output with NCL, creating 2D/3D plots, maps, and animations of temperature, precipitation, wind, and pressure, while learning the NCL script structure (import data, manipulate, visualize).
Advanced WRF model outputs visualization with PostWRF26:30
Learn to visualize wharf and ERA5 model outputs with the PostWRF toolkit, including contour plots, time series, windrose and skew-t diagrams, wind vectors, and geotiff conversion.
producing a contour plot of Sea level pressure

Set up WRF for specific regions with Nested domains24:54
Learn to set up wrf with nested domains for regional downscaling and higher resolution forecasts. Optimize domain boundaries, grid spacing, and workflows to balance accuracy and computational cost.
Options for physics PBL schemes7:52
Compare one-dimensional pbl schemes in the WRF model, including Miller-Yamada-Nakanishi-Nino, Yonsei University, and Ulster University non-local closures, to study vertical mixing and surface fluxes affecting two metre temperature.
Verification of model output with observations19:01
Verify the WRF model output against Tunis-Carthage Airport observations using time series analysis, compute mean bias, mean absolute error, RMSE, and correlation, and visualize results in Python via Google Colab.
Bonus tip - Coupling WRF with other global models9:00
Learn how to couple the Worf model with Kfssr LBC data to set pressure levels and surface boundary conditions for improved weather forecasting.
Analyzing 2m Temperature from GFS using WRFOUT data

Requirements

Basic knowledge of meteorological concepts and terminology is recommended.
WRF model installed (preferably version 4.0 or above)
Familiarity with scripting concepts and experience with bash terminal, ubuntu Linux, and NCL is preferred
Access to a computer with at least 4 cores CPU and 16 Gb of RAM (32 Gb or more recommended)
Some experience working with NETCDF and regular data, such as observational or numerical model data, is preferred but not required.

Description

Welcome to the Introduction to Weather Forecasting with the WRF Model course on Udemy. In this comprehensive course, we will guide you through the process of using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for weather forecasting and research.

In Section 1, we will introduce you to the WRF model and provide you with a basic understanding of its principles and how it works. We will also give you an overview of the different sections covered in the course.

Section 2 will provide you with a brief history of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and the development of the WRF model. You will learn about the various applications of WRF in weather forecasting and research.

In Section 3, we will guide you through the pre-processing phase of the WRF model. You will learn about the data requirements for WRF modeling, how to obtain and prepare meteorological and land surface data, and how to generate initial and boundary conditions.

Section 4 will focus on running the WRF model. You will learn how to configure the WRF model, run it, and post-process model outputs.

Section 5 will cover model output analysis. You will learn how to visualize the WRF model output using NCL and PostWRF. We will cover basic visualization techniques as well as more advanced visualization techniques.

In Section 6, we will dive into advanced topics and case studies. You will learn about nested domains, boundary layer physical parameterizations, verification of model output with observations, and coupling WRF with other global models.

Finally, in Section 7, we will conclude the course by providing you with suggestions for further learning and development. You will have a solid understanding of the WRF model and its applications, and be equipped with the necessary skills to start using it for your own weather forecasting and research needs.

Enroll in this course today and take your first step towards mastering the WRF model!

Who this course is for:

students studying atmospheric sciences, meteorology, or related fields
professionals working in the weather forecasting industry
meteorologists, weather forecasters, and climate scientists
hobbyists and weather enthusiasts who have a keen interest in weather forecasting

Introduction to Weather Forecasting with the WRF Model

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction and course organisation1 lecture • 6min

Introduction to WRF3 lectures • 20min

Pre-processing with the WRF Preprocessing System (WPS)5 lectures • 45min

Running WRF2 lectures • 33min

Model Output Analysis2 lectures • 44min

Advanced Topics and case studies4 lectures • 1hr 1min

Conclusion2 lectures • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: