AbstractThe initialization of limited area models is complicated by the difficulty of determining the linear normal modes and of allowing for general boundary conditions. A new method of initialization is devised, which does not require explicit knowledge of the normal modes. the method is based on a filtering procedure which uses a modified inverse Laplace transform. the efficacy of the method is demonstrated by application to a one‐dimensional model, and the rationale for application to a general forecasting model is discussed. the method is closely related to the nonlinear normal mode method of initializatio