Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Nonhydrostatic Atmospheric Modeling Using a Combined Cartesian Grid

Hiroe Yamazaki Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Takehiko Satomura Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Print Publication:
01 Oct 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2010MWR3252.1
Page(s):
3932–3945
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Abstract

A new method for representing topography on a Cartesian grid is applied to a two-dimensional nonhydrostatic atmospheric model to achieve highly precise simulations over steep terrain. The shaved cell method based on finite-volume discretization is used along with a cell-combining approach in which small cut cells are combined with neighboring cells either vertically or horizontally. A unique staggered arrangement of variables enables quite simple computations of momentum equations by avoiding the evaluation of surface pressure and reducing the computational cost of combining cells for the velocity variables. The method successfully reproduces flows over a wide range of slopes, including steep slopes where significant errors are observed in a model using conventional terrain-following coordinates. The advantage of horizontal cell combination on extremely steep slopes is also demonstrated.

Corresponding author address: Hiroe Yamazaki, Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. Email: yamazaki_h@kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Abstract

A new method for representing topography on a Cartesian grid is applied to a two-dimensional nonhydrostatic atmospheric model to achieve highly precise simulations over steep terrain. The shaved cell method based on finite-volume discretization is used along with a cell-combining approach in which small cut cells are combined with neighboring cells either vertically or horizontally. A unique staggered arrangement of variables enables quite simple computations of momentum equations by avoiding the evaluation of surface pressure and reducing the computational cost of combining cells for the velocity variables. The method successfully reproduces flows over a wide range of slopes, including steep slopes where significant errors are observed in a model using conventional terrain-following coordinates. The advantage of horizontal cell combination on extremely steep slopes is also demonstrated.

Corresponding author address: Hiroe Yamazaki, Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. Email: yamazaki_h@kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp

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