1KM WRF Model Run In Support of CuPIDO

Questions

• Can WRF reproduce the actual conditions that occurred that day?

• Can WRF be configured to run quickly enough to support forecast options?

• What is the best model configuration?

Model Configuration

WRF v 2.0.3.1, 2 domains, 110x110 3km outer domain, 266x216 1km inner domain.

38 vertical levels with lowest sigma level at 24m above ground level.

WSM 6 class Graupel microphysics scheme.

Thermal Diffusion land-surface scheme, YSU boundary-layer scheme.

Explicit cumulus for both domains, initialized from ETA 212

Domain Configuration

Outer Domain

Inner Domain

25 July 2003

GOES W 1KM VIS Loop

Results

Top Down 3D Clouds

W-E Cross Section, Specific Humidity, Theta, Clouds, Winds

SkewT at Tucson

SkewT at Mt Lemmon

24 hours of simulation is completed in about 5 hours.

Future:

• Initialize off of 6Z ETA or GFS so run will finish by 12Z.

• Better placement of inner domain and/or change outer to 3km.

• Compare 1km inner domain run to 1.8km run to see if 1.8 is of sufficient resolution.

• Problems with numeric instability at 1km?

• Alternative land-surface (Noah) scheme.