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Enhancement of Polar WRF atmospheric and surface processes: An annual simulation

Wilson, Aaron Benjamin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1268066611

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Atmospheric Sciences.
In continuing the evaluation of Polar WRF 3.1.1, this high resolution mesoscale model for regional scale studies is used to simulate Arctic conditions for the year December 2006 – November 2007. The goal is to examine key characteristics of weather patterns, comparing model output to documented reanalyses and observational data sets of surface and upper level observations. The domain mirrors that of the Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR), an assimilation of model results, field observations, and satellite observations of the Arctic being conducted partly by the Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University. Included in this area of study is the Arctic Basin, the river drainage areas of the subarctic, as well as the surrounding mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. This simulation takes advantage of previous polar modifications to mesoscale modeling, including updates to snow pack treatment, radiative transfer properties, and fractional sea ice implementation. A key development in this Polar WRF study is the extension of the seasonal progression of sea ice albedo to the entire domain. The boundary conditions are specified by the NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) Final global gridded analysis archive (FNL); a 1deg x 1deg global grid updated every 6 hours. The simulations are performed in 48 hour increments initialized daily at 0000UTC, with the first 24 hours discarded for model spin-up. Overall, the results of the surface and upper air analysis are promising. Polar WRF predicted values of surface and sea level pressure are excellent, with good correlations between model and observations. In addition, Polar WRF 2 m temperature and 2m dewpoint show good skill and small biases. Likewise, the modeled upper air variables (temperature, geopotential height, and wind speed) outperform the surface analysis. In addition to the standard meteorological variable analysis, the hydrologic cycle is evaluated. Precipitation, when considering locations in open, flat areas away from high terrain is modeled well. Additionally, an investigation into the precipitation basins for Arctic rivers shows these areas have little bias when compared to observations. There are deficiencies identified with this current model configuration however. Most importantly, an evaluation of cloud fraction reveals that the summertime Arctic stratus clouds are severely under predicted, which leads to precipitation deficits in the Arctic as well as an amplified diurnal temperature cycle. While the modeled polar region suffers from too little precipitation, the mid-latitudes demonstrate a surplus owing largely to the convective parameterization. However, these limitations provide a benchmark from which to improve the model and guidance for further development for Polar WRF’s use as ASR’s primary model.
David Bromwich, PhD (Advisor)
Jay Hobgood, PhD (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Rogers, PhD (Committee Member)
171 p.
Atmosphere
Polar WRF; WRF; Arctic System Reanalysis; ASR

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wilson, A. B. (2010). Enhancement of Polar WRF atmospheric and surface processes: An annual simulation [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1268066611

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wilson, Aaron. Enhancement of Polar WRF atmospheric and surface processes: An annual simulation. 2010. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1268066611.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wilson, Aaron. "Enhancement of Polar WRF atmospheric and surface processes: An annual simulation." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1268066611

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.