SMART2022: A Project Supporting Weather Forecasting and Services for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games—A Success Story of “Precise Observations, Accurate Forecasting, and Meticulous Service” in the Field of Meteorology

Abstract The SMART2022 project (Sciences of Meteorology and Artificial Intelligence in Research and Technology for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) was initiated to enhance weather forecasting and services for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The focus of the project was to carry out intensive meteorological field experiments and develop advanced high-precision weather forecasting methods to support the games. The field experiments fully considered the advantages and limitations of various types of instruments and provided detailed firsthand information that enabled forecasters to understand the small-scale weather phenomena in the mountain competition venues. Novel methods were developed, enhanced, and used during the games, such as integration-based, 10-min-updating forecasts with 100-m horizontal grid spacing for 0–24-h lead times; large-eddy-simulation-based numerical model forecasts with 67-m horizontal grid spacing for 24–240-h lead times; and artificial intelligence–based, site-specific, postprocessed seamless forecasts with 0–240-h lead times. These innovations increased the precision of the weather forecasting and allowed effective correction of kilometer-scale numerical model forecast errors, with a specific emphasis on ultrahigh-resolution predictions of wind gusts and temperature in the complex mountainous competition areas affected mainly by the continental winter monsoon. Utilization of the SMART2022 achievements had a key role in supporting weather forecasts and services for the official training and competition events, scheduling, competition safety window selection, and other aspects related to both the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Ultimately, these achievements contributed to the successful completion of all the snow-based events and the safety of athletes during the 2022 Games. Significance Statement The successful hosting of the modern Winter Olympics and Paralympics is closely linked to the weather conditions. This paper introduces the SMART2022 project, which aimed to provide essential weather forecasting support for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The project involved meteorological field experiments in two mountainous competition zones over four consecutive winters, using comprehensive arrays of advanced meteorological observation instruments. It also included the development of novel, high-precision weather forecasting systems and methods by utilizing enhanced meteorological observations, advanced numerical weather prediction models, and artificial intelligence techniques. The outcomes of the project in supporting the 2022 Games are evaluated. The project can serve as a demonstration of high-spatiotemporal-resolution field experiments and forecasts for winter mountain weather in the midlatitudes.