Numerical weather prediction (NWP) is the core technology for weather forecast and disaster prevention and mitigation. The research and operational applications of NWP have always been highly valued in China, and have achieved great progress with an appreciable international influence in the theories, algorithms, and operational system developments. This paper first summarizes the scientific and technological evolution of NWP in China, and then focuses on the current status and recent updates of the two homemade global NWP systems: GRAPES (Global/Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System) and YHGSM (YinHe Global Spectral Model). (1) GRAPES possesses both deterministic and ensemble forecast systems, with global (regional) model versions running on 12–50-km (3–10-km) resolutions. Significant improvements have been made on its dynamic core, four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) assimilation, satellite and radar data assimilation, ensemble forecast, and cloud microphysics schemes, and so on. It is capable to perform subseasonal to seasonal forecast and has incorporated an atmospheric chemistry model, typhoon numerical forecast model, and ocean wave model. (2) YHGSM continues to follow the development route of spectral models, featured prominently with a dry-mass conserved spectral dynamical core, ensemble 4D-Var assimilation, coupled ocean–land–atmosphere ensemble forecast, and the medium-term and monthly-extended global high-resolution forecast as the baseline. These NWP systems autonomouly developed by the China Meteorological Administration and the national defense insitution benefit from long-term adherence to the national science and technology development strategies and close research to operation practices.

In numerical weather prediction (NWP), the parameterization of orographic drag plays an important role in representing subgrid orographic effects. The subgrid orographic parameters are the key input to the parameterization of orographic drag. Currently, the subgrid orographic parameters in most NWP models were produced based on elevation datasets generated many years ago, with a coarse resolution and low quality. In this paper, using the latest high-quality elevation data and considering the applicable scale range of the subgrid orographic parameters, we construct the orographic parameters, including the subgrid orographic standard deviation, anisotropy, orientation, and slope, that are required as input to the orographic gravity wave drag (OGWD) parameterization. Finally, we introduce the newly constructed orographic parameters into the Yin-He Global Spectral Model (YHGSM), optimize the description of the orographic effect in the model, and improve the simulation of two typical heavy rainfall events in Beijing and Henan.