Bridging The Gap workshop
24-26 June 2026
Reading (UK) & Online
Forecast verification is a critical component in the development and evaluation of weather prediction models. Spatial weather fields present unique challenges for verification due to their complex structures and the inherent spatial dependencies. Two main approaches have emerged to tackle these challenges: spatial verification methods designed to mitigate the double penalty effect and consistent/proper scores motivated by theoretical decision-making principles.
Bridging The Gap is a research project aimed at connecting these two communities to foster collaboration and advance the field of spatial verification for ensemble forecasts. Bridging The Gap is an activity of the Joint Working Group on Forecast Verification Research (JWGFVR) under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) World Weather Research Programme (WWRP). The project seeks to explore the links between spatial verification methods and consistent/proper scores, develop new methodologies, and address current challenges of spatial verification (e.g., ensemble forecasts and AI-based weather prediction models).
This workshop aims to highlight recent developments in both communities, encourage knowledge exchange, and identify future research directions.
Program
The workshop will feature plenary sessions with invited and contributed talks from in-person and online speakers. The workshop will also include closed discussion sessions with the aim of kickstarting a review article.
Confirmed speakers:
- Barbara Casati (ECCC, JWGFVR co-chair)
- Llorenç Lledó (ECMWF)
- Marion Mittermaier (Met Office)
A more detailed program will be made available soon.
Contributions and Registration
Contributions on spatial verification approaches for AI, hybrid and traditional NWP models are welcome. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following topics:
- Spatial methods: neighborhood, filtering and scale-separation approaches; field morphing and displacement methods.
- Theory-motivated scores: consistent scoring functions, proper scoring rules, calibration.
- Adaptation of methods for deterministic forecasts to ensemble forecasts.
- Investigation of links between consistent/proper scores and spatial verification methods.
- Applications: operational forecasts, energy production, AI-based forecasts, etc.
Registration is free but mandatory. The deadline for registration and contribution submissions is May 1, 2026.
Timeline
| May 1 | Deadline for contributions and registration |
|---|---|
| June 22–23 | Ver-AI workshop |
| June 24–26 | Bridging The Gap workshop |
Acknowledgements
This workshop is made possible through the support of the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Organizers
- Romain Pic (ETH Zurich;
romain.pic@math.ethz.ch) - Jochen Bröcker (University of Reading)
Administrative contact:
- Guannan Hu (University of Reading;
guannan.hu@reading.ac.uk)