A High-Resolution WRF Tropical Channel Simulation Driven by a Global Reanalysis
Abstract
Since 2003, NCAR has invested in the development and application of Nested Regional Climate Model (NRCM) based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the Community Climate System Model, as a key component of the Prediction Across Scales Initiative. A prototype tropical channel model has been developed to investigate scale interactions and the influence of tropical convection on large scale circulation and tropical modes. The model was developed based on the NCAR Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF), configured as a tropical channel between 30 ° S and 45 ° N, wide enough to allow teleconnection effects over the mid-latitudes. Compared to the limited area domain that WRF is typically applied over, the channel mode alleviates issues with reflection of tropical modes that could result from imposing east/west boundaries. Using a large amount of available computing resources on a supercomputer (Blue Vista) during its bedding in period, a simulation has been completed with the tropical channel applied at 36 km horizontal resolution for 5 years from 1996 to 2000, with large scale circulation provided by the NCEP/NCAR global reanalysis at the north/south boundaries. Shorter simulations of 2 years and 6 months have also been performed to include two-way nests at 12 km and 4 km resolution, respectively, over the western Pacific warm pool, to explicitly resolve tropical convection in the Maritime Continent. The simulations realistically captured the large-scale circulation including the trade winds over the tropical Pacific and Atlantic, the Australian and Asian monsoon circulation, and hurricane statistics. Preliminary analysis and evaluation of the simulations will be presented.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFM.A33F..02H
- Keywords:
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- 3310 Clouds and cloud feedbacks;
- 3314 Convective processes;
- 3319 General circulation (1223);
- 3354 Precipitation (1854);
- 3355 Regional modeling