After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify effects that are smaller than NWP models can emulate (e.g. variations in surface characteristics that are smaller-scale than the NWP model resolution).
• Cite situations where physical processes are important to the model forecast relative to dynamical processes.
• State how basic radiative transfer processes are parameterized in NWP models, and which forecast parameters produce the largest source of errors.
• State situations in which cloud structure and soil moisture parameterizations will work well, and those where they will work poorly.
• Cite situations in which at least two physical parameterizations will interact with each other, and the potential feedback effects.
• Identify at least one consequence of errors in model physics (cloud structure and soil moisture) on model forecasts at and around a forecast location.
• Identify at least two elements of NWP model surface parameterizations that affect surface/atmosphere exchanges and their impacts on the PBL.