Research scientist in atmospheric data assimilation at GMAO-NASA since 2010. PhD in astmospheric and oceanic sciences from McGill University (Canada), and joint engineering degree in meteorology from EHTP (Morocco), and ENM (France). Worked on various variational methods such as the primal 3D/4D-Var, the dual 3D/4D-PSAS, as well as the primal and dual weak-constraint 4D-Var/PSAS. Currently focusing on hybrid approaches, combining deterministic variational and probabilistic ensemble techniques.
- Variational and hybrid data assimilation.
- Weak-constraint formulation of variational data assimilation.
- Modelling and estimation of background and model error statistics.
- Iterative Minimization techniques for solving large linear systems: the Conjugate and Bi- Conjugate Gradient, Minres and GMRES.
2010
-
Present
Research Scientist in atmospheric data assimilation.
Science Systems and Applications Inc.,
NASA Goddard Space flight center, Greenbelt, Maryland.
Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, Code 610.1
- Implementing GMAO's 3D and 4D hybrid data assimilation system.
- Upgrading the background error covariance statistics.
- Implemented a new minimization technique (Bi-Conjugate Gradient) for solving variational analysis problem and worked on improving the preconditioning of the minimization.
PhD Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
McGill University, Canada, 2010.
Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)
Project Management Institute, 2018
Master and Engineering Degree - meteorology
National School of Meteorology (Ecole Nationale de la Meteorologie - ENM), Toulouse, France, 2004.
Engineering Degree - meteorology
Hassania School of Civil Engineering (Ecole Hassania des Travaux publics - EHTP), Casablanca, Morocco. Joint degree with ENM, 2004.
Teaching Assistant at McGill University for various classes:
“Atmospheric and oceanic dynamics”, “Introduction to oceanic studies”, “Introduction to atmospheric studies”.
Fluent in Arabic and French.
Refereed
Privé, N., R. Errico, and A. El Akkraoui. 2022. "Investigation of the potential saturation of information from Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation observations with an observing system simulation experiment."
Monthly Weather Review,
150
(6):
1293-1316
[10.1175/mwr-d-21-0230.1]
El Akkraoui, A., D. Carvalho, R. M. Errico, N. C. Privé, and M. G. Bosilovich. 2021. "The Role of Analysis Error in the Convergence of Reanalysis Production Streams in MERRA-2."
Monthly Weather Review,
149
(4):
1041-1054
[10.1175/mwr-d-20-0256.1]
Privé, N. C., R. M. Errico, R. Todling, and A. El Akkraoui. 2020. "Evaluation of adjoint‐based observation impacts as a function of forecast length using an Observing System Simulation Experiment."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society,
qj.3909
[10.1002/qj.3909]
El Akkraoui, A., Y. Tremolet, and R. Todling. 2013. "Preconditioning of variational data assimilation and the use of a bi-conjugate gradient method."
Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc.,
139
(672):
731-741
[10.1002/qj.1997]
Akkraoui, A. E., and P. Gauthier. 2010. "Convergence properties of the primal and dual forms of variational data assimilation."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society,
136
(646):
107-115
[10.1002/qj.545]
El Akkraoui, A., P. Gauthier, S. Pellerin, and S. Buis. 2008. "Intercomparison of the primal and dual formulations of variational data assimilation."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society,
134
(633):
1015-1025
[10.1002/qj.257]
Non-Refereed
Todling, R., and A. El Akkraoui. 2018. "The GMAO Hybrid Ensemble-Variational Atmospheric Data Assimilation System: Version 2.0."
NASA/TM-2018-104606
50:
184pp
[Full Text (Link)]
Errico, R. M., N. C. Prive, D. Carvalho, et al. 2017. "Description of the GMAO OSSE for Weather Analysis Software Package: Version 3."
NASA Technical Report Series on Global Modeling and Data Assimilation, NASA/TM-2017-104606
48:
156 pp.
[Full Text (Link)]
Refereed
Privé, N., R. Errico, and A. El Akkraoui. 2022. "Investigation of the potential saturation of information from Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation observations with an observing system simulation experiment."
Monthly Weather Review
150
(6):
1293-1316
[10.1175/mwr-d-21-0230.1]
El Akkraoui, A., D. Carvalho, R. M. Errico, N. C. Privé, and M. G. Bosilovich. 2021. "The Role of Analysis Error in the Convergence of Reanalysis Production Streams in MERRA-2."
Monthly Weather Review
149
(4):
1041-1054
[10.1175/mwr-d-20-0256.1]
Privé, N. C., R. M. Errico, R. Todling, and A. El Akkraoui. 2020. "Evaluation of adjoint‐based observation impacts as a function of forecast length using an Observing System Simulation Experiment."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
qj.3909
[10.1002/qj.3909]
El Akkraoui, A., Y. Tremolet, and R. Todling. 2013. "Preconditioning of variational data assimilation and the use of a bi-conjugate gradient method."
Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc.
139
(672):
731-741
[10.1002/qj.1997]
Akkraoui, A. E., and P. Gauthier. 2010. "Convergence properties of the primal and dual forms of variational data assimilation."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
136
(646):
107-115
[10.1002/qj.545]
El Akkraoui, A., P. Gauthier, S. Pellerin, and S. Buis. 2008. "Intercomparison of the primal and dual formulations of variational data assimilation."
Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
134
(633):
1015-1025
[10.1002/qj.257]
Non-Refereed
Todling, R., and A. El Akkraoui. 2018. "The GMAO Hybrid Ensemble-Variational Atmospheric Data Assimilation System: Version 2.0."
NASA/TM-2018-104606
50
184pp
[Full Text (Link)]
Errico, R. M., N. C. Prive, D. Carvalho, et al. 2017. "Description of the GMAO OSSE for Weather Analysis Software Package: Version 3."
NASA Technical Report Series on Global Modeling and Data Assimilation, NASA/TM-2017-104606
48
156 pp.
[Full Text (Link)]
