Abstract: The limited area analysis and forecast system (LAFS) was developed and has been put into operational use at National Meteorological Center since January 1991.This system can be regarded as a branch system attached to the global assimilation and medium-range forecast system which is based on a spectral model T42L9.The main advancements as an upgrade operational system are:the use of a regional fine mesh OI analysis schem;the realization of the non-linear normal mode initialization for the regional model; the development of a 15L-spherical grid PE model (with real topography and enstrophy conservation) and its nesting forecast with the spectral model T42L9.