Adapting WRF-CHEM GOCART for Fine-Scale Dust Forecasting

Dust storms create hazardous health and visibility conditions. Researchers at the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) are developing a suite of mesoscale and convective-scale dust forecasting products using the Weather Research and Forecasting - Chemistry (WRF-CHEM) model coupled with the GOddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) dust model. Because GOCART was originally designed for the global scale, several model parameterizations had to be addressed before the model could be used on fine-scales. A brief survey of changes made to the GOCART dust emission scheme by AFWA and affiliates is provided. These alterations include changes to the model's saltation algorithm, soil moisture correction factors, emitted particle size distribution, and preferential dust source regions. Continued progress on the creation of a new dust source region (DSR) database will also be discussed. An overview of AFWA fine-scale dust forecast products will be provided as well.