Zhang Weimin (first from the right) communicated with the team members about the collection of numerical forecast data. Photographed by Zhou Fujing (Xinhua News Agency)

In early autumn, the weather is still hot. Zhang Weimin, a researcher from a research institute of the School of Meteorology and Oceanography of the National University of Defense Technology, who had just returned from a business trip, plunged into the office with a full box of data and started a new round of technical research.

Each technical problem, like the sound of "Charge", inspired Zhang Weimin to climb in the field of atmospheric and oceanic numerical prediction.

For more than 30 years, Zhang Weimin's team has measured the sky and explored the sea, realizing the autonomy and controllability of the core technology of numerical prediction, and effectively improving the guarantee ability of atmospheric and oceanic prediction. Today, he has become an expert in the field of environmental protection, a leader in scientific and technological innovation, and won one second prize of the National Award for Science and Technology Progress.

Keep the original center unchanged and study numerical prediction

The atmospheric and marine environment is one of the most variable elements of the natural environment of the battlefield.

"If the atmospheric and marine environment forecast is accurate or inaccurate, it will have a direct impact on the outcome of the war." Zhang Weimin is well aware of the heavy responsibility.

In 1989, Zhang Weimin, who had just graduated from the master's degree, joined the research group led by Song Junqiang, who later became an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Since then, his affinity with numerical forecasting has lasted more than 30 years.

At that time, there was little information available for parallel computing of numerical weather prediction, so we had to "cross the river by feeling the stones". Zhang Weimin studied hard, repeatedly studied the literature and sought advice from meteorological experts.

Only by aiming at the front can we stand on the front. Zhang Weimin has been working hard and has achieved a series of important results.

In 2015, the National University of Defense Technology launched the discipline construction of marine science, and he was nearly 50 years old and started a pioneering journey again. He often said: "The atmosphere and the ocean are important components of the earth system. There are interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean. To better predict the weather, it is necessary to accurately master the marine environment."

For the cause of the country and the army, Zhang Weimin never changed his original intention. The code was hammered line by line and the system was done generation by generation. This is the advanced technology of today's numerical forecasting.

Gather strength to overcome difficulties

There is no shortcut to scientific research, which often requires pioneering and innovation.

Liu Bainian, an associate researcher of a research institute of the Institute of Meteorology and Oceanography, has a deep memory of one thing.

During the research and development of a forecasting system, the problem that the forecasting error increases too fast appeared. When the team was involved in the correctness check of code and process, Zhang Weimin suggested "jump out, start from the principle, and clarify the essence from the source of error".

Following Zhang Weimin's thought, the crux of the problem was finally found, which effectively solved the problem that the forecast error grew too fast.

Zhang Weimin said: "When encountering difficulties, we tend to look for answers from the literature. But after the development of technology to a certain stage, there are few things to refer to. This requires us to start from the principle and deeply understand the essence of things in order to find solutions."

"No matter how tight the time is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much work it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much work it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is.

In order to ensure the stable operation of a business system, Zhang Weimin led the team to conduct a full process drill to repeatedly verify the feasibility and applicability. Finally, the system was successfully put into formal operation, achieving a new breakthrough in the ability level of numerical weather prediction.

Spring breeze turns into rain, cultivating talents carefully

After more than 30 years of teaching, Zhang Weimin has trained more than 60 outstanding scientific researchers who have contributed their own strength to their respective posts.

"Respect every student and encourage free exploration." Luo Tengling, an assistant researcher in a research institute of the Institute of Meteorology and Oceanography, said that Zhang Weimin would give students advice on scientific research ideas, but never impose ideas on students.

On one occasion, Zhang Weimin held different opinions on the research direction proposed by Luo Tengling. However, he encouraged Luo Tengling to do experiments according to his own ideas, and at the same time, he gave help and guidance. After continuous exploration, the experimental results were finally published in a high-level academic journal.

"Young people have unlimited potential. They should learn to think independently and form their own scientific research ideas." Zhang Weimin is not afraid of hard work. He will take the time to give advice to young researchers and will share the latest research results at home and abroad.

In 2020, just after the Spring Festival, Zhang Weimin will organize a technical seminar through the online conference system to analyze the urgency of the demand for meteorological and marine environmental protection and the technical difficulties faced, and stimulate the team members' scientific research morale. On the first day of work, Zhang Weimin brought the team a report meeting on the latest international progress in the field of numerical prediction technology. "The explanation in simple terms suddenly opened my research idea." Liu Bainian was a participant in the conference, and his notebook was full of knowledge points.

"In the new journey of building a strong military, we have the responsibility to train more numerical forecasting talents, improve the level of integrated support, and build a solid defense line for victory." Zhang Weimin is confident of the mission.

(Liu Shaohua participated in the writing)

People's Daily (August 16, 2023, Version 07)

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