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Abstract
By animating enhanced coarse surface pressure observations of 12 1985 Preliminary Regional Experiment for Storm-Scale Operational Research Meteorology (PRE-STORM) mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) the authors exposed 92 transitory highs and lows living within virtually all of the systems’ mesohighs and wake lows. A quasi-Lagrangian (feature following, not material following) analysis of the pressure fields produced five primary results.
First, these transients, with magnitudes of a few millibars, horizontal dimensions of order 100 km, and average lifetimes of about 2 h, collectively composed spatial and temporal envelopes that contributed at least part of the total pressure field within mesohighs and wake lows. Transients did not apparently favor formation or dissipation in any location of the envelopes. Second, as the MCSs matured, the difference between each complex’s transitory highs’ mean pressure and transitory lows’ mean pressure increased in 78% of the conclusive cases. Apparently, one frequent role of MCSs is locally to magnify storm-scale pressure gradients. Third, transient paths reflect the frequent symmetric-to-asymmetric metamorphoses of the MCSs. Fourth, the temporal fluctuations of the numbers and apparent sizes of transients within a composite MCS partially support theories of MCS upscale evolution. Finally, the composite’s transient numbers and apparent sizes varied almost identically with time in a pattern that closely resembles the fluctuation of stratiform and convective volumetric rain rates of MCSs.
Abstract
By animating enhanced coarse surface pressure observations of 12 1985 Preliminary Regional Experiment for Storm-Scale Operational Research Meteorology (PRE-STORM) mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) the authors exposed 92 transitory highs and lows living within virtually all of the systems’ mesohighs and wake lows. A quasi-Lagrangian (feature following, not material following) analysis of the pressure fields produced five primary results.
First, these transients, with magnitudes of a few millibars, horizontal dimensions of order 100 km, and average lifetimes of about 2 h, collectively composed spatial and temporal envelopes that contributed at least part of the total pressure field within mesohighs and wake lows. Transients did not apparently favor formation or dissipation in any location of the envelopes. Second, as the MCSs matured, the difference between each complex’s transitory highs’ mean pressure and transitory lows’ mean pressure increased in 78% of the conclusive cases. Apparently, one frequent role of MCSs is locally to magnify storm-scale pressure gradients. Third, transient paths reflect the frequent symmetric-to-asymmetric metamorphoses of the MCSs. Fourth, the temporal fluctuations of the numbers and apparent sizes of transients within a composite MCS partially support theories of MCS upscale evolution. Finally, the composite’s transient numbers and apparent sizes varied almost identically with time in a pattern that closely resembles the fluctuation of stratiform and convective volumetric rain rates of MCSs.
Abstract
The authors present a unique, scale-discriminating study of the environment-relative circulations within a mesoscale convective system (MCS) and mesoscale convective vortex (MCV). The MCS, a leading convective line and trailing stratiform region that became asymmetric, passed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Profiler Network (NPN) in Kansas and Oklahoma on 1 August 1996. The MCV appeared in the MCS's stratiform region just prior to the system's mature stage and grew to a depth of over 12 km as the MCS dissipated. The MCV did not apparently survive to the next day.
A spatial bandpass filter was used to divide observed wind into a component that was predominantly synoptic background wind and a component that was predominantly a mesoscale perturbation on that background wind.
A mesoscale updraft, mesoscale downdraft, and divergent outflows in the lower and upper troposphere were evident after the synoptic background wind was removed, so these four circulations were internal and fundamental to the MCS.
The mesoscale perturbation in wind in the middle troposphere extended farther behind the MCS than ahead of it, consistent with analytic studies and numerical simulations of gravity waves generated by heat sources characteristic of MCSs with leading convective lines and trailing stratiform regions.
Deepening of the MCV appeared to be reflected in the vertical wind shear at the vortex's center: as the MCV strengthened, the mesoscale shear through its lower part decreased, perhaps as wind became more vortical at increasing altitudes. Mesoscale and synoptic vertical shears were of similar magnitude, so an average of environmental soundings outside an MCS probably does not accurately represent the shear that affects an MCV. This suggests the need to reevaluate how the kinematical settings of MCVs are diagnosed.
Abstract
The authors present a unique, scale-discriminating study of the environment-relative circulations within a mesoscale convective system (MCS) and mesoscale convective vortex (MCV). The MCS, a leading convective line and trailing stratiform region that became asymmetric, passed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Profiler Network (NPN) in Kansas and Oklahoma on 1 August 1996. The MCV appeared in the MCS's stratiform region just prior to the system's mature stage and grew to a depth of over 12 km as the MCS dissipated. The MCV did not apparently survive to the next day.
A spatial bandpass filter was used to divide observed wind into a component that was predominantly synoptic background wind and a component that was predominantly a mesoscale perturbation on that background wind.
A mesoscale updraft, mesoscale downdraft, and divergent outflows in the lower and upper troposphere were evident after the synoptic background wind was removed, so these four circulations were internal and fundamental to the MCS.
The mesoscale perturbation in wind in the middle troposphere extended farther behind the MCS than ahead of it, consistent with analytic studies and numerical simulations of gravity waves generated by heat sources characteristic of MCSs with leading convective lines and trailing stratiform regions.
Deepening of the MCV appeared to be reflected in the vertical wind shear at the vortex's center: as the MCV strengthened, the mesoscale shear through its lower part decreased, perhaps as wind became more vortical at increasing altitudes. Mesoscale and synoptic vertical shears were of similar magnitude, so an average of environmental soundings outside an MCS probably does not accurately represent the shear that affects an MCV. This suggests the need to reevaluate how the kinematical settings of MCVs are diagnosed.
Abstract
Over the past decade, numerous numerical modeling studies have shown that deep convective clouds can produce gravity waves that induce a significant vertical flux of horizontal momentum. Such studies used models with horizontal grid spacings of O(1 km) and produced strong gravity waves with horizontal wavelengths greater than about 20 km. This paper is an examination of how simulated gravity waves and their momentum flux are sensitive to model resolution. It is shown that increases in horizontal resolution produce more power in waves with shorter horizontal wavelengths. This change in the gravity waves’ spectra influences their vertical propagation. In some cases, gravity waves that were vertically propagating in coarse simulations become vertically trapped in fine simulations, which strongly influences the vertical flux of horizontal momentum.
Abstract
Over the past decade, numerous numerical modeling studies have shown that deep convective clouds can produce gravity waves that induce a significant vertical flux of horizontal momentum. Such studies used models with horizontal grid spacings of O(1 km) and produced strong gravity waves with horizontal wavelengths greater than about 20 km. This paper is an examination of how simulated gravity waves and their momentum flux are sensitive to model resolution. It is shown that increases in horizontal resolution produce more power in waves with shorter horizontal wavelengths. This change in the gravity waves’ spectra influences their vertical propagation. In some cases, gravity waves that were vertically propagating in coarse simulations become vertically trapped in fine simulations, which strongly influences the vertical flux of horizontal momentum.
Abstract
The authors employ data from the NOAA Wind Profiler Network to present a scale-discriminating vorticity budget for a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) that was generated by a mesoscale convective system (MCS) in Oklahoma and Kansas on 1 August 1996.
A spatial bandpass filter was used to divide observed wind into mesoscale and synoptic components. Then the authors sought sources and sinks of vorticity in those two components over 9 h of the MCV's lifetime.
The vorticity budget reveals that both the mesoscale and synoptic winds supplied significant vorticity to the MCV. The vortex's origin could not be proved, but data weakly suggest that tilting may have been mostly responsible. Convergence of absolute vorticity by the mesoscale wind was the reason the MCV grew deeper and stronger as the MCS weakened. Finally, tilting of synoptic and mesoscale vorticity by gradients in mesoscale vertical motion was responsible for a secondary deepening of the MCV as the MCS dissipated.
The budget suggests that, if the MCV of 1 August 1996 is representative, completely realistic simulations of MCVs should include planetary vorticity and a plausible, three-dimensionally heterogeneous synoptic wind.
Abstract
The authors employ data from the NOAA Wind Profiler Network to present a scale-discriminating vorticity budget for a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) that was generated by a mesoscale convective system (MCS) in Oklahoma and Kansas on 1 August 1996.
A spatial bandpass filter was used to divide observed wind into mesoscale and synoptic components. Then the authors sought sources and sinks of vorticity in those two components over 9 h of the MCV's lifetime.
The vorticity budget reveals that both the mesoscale and synoptic winds supplied significant vorticity to the MCV. The vortex's origin could not be proved, but data weakly suggest that tilting may have been mostly responsible. Convergence of absolute vorticity by the mesoscale wind was the reason the MCV grew deeper and stronger as the MCS weakened. Finally, tilting of synoptic and mesoscale vorticity by gradients in mesoscale vertical motion was responsible for a secondary deepening of the MCV as the MCS dissipated.
The budget suggests that, if the MCV of 1 August 1996 is representative, completely realistic simulations of MCVs should include planetary vorticity and a plausible, three-dimensionally heterogeneous synoptic wind.
Abstract
Simulations of Chesapeake Bay breezes are performed with varying water surface temperature (WST) datasets and formulations for the diurnal cycle of WST to determine whether more accurate depictions of water surface temperature improve prediction of bay breezes. The accuracy of simulations is measured against observed WST, inland wind speed and temperature, and in simulations’ ability to detect bay breezes via a detection algorithm developed for numerical model output. Missing WST data are found to be problematic within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model framework, especially when activating the prognostic equation for skin temperature, sst_skin. This is alleviated when filling all missing WST values with skin temperature values within the initial and boundary conditions. Performance of bay-breeze prediction is shown to be somewhat associated with the resolution of the WST dataset. Further, model performance in simulating WST as well as in simulating the Chesapeake Bay breeze is improved when diurnal fluctuations of WST are considered via the sst skin option. Prior to running simulations, model performance in simulating the bay breeze can be accurately predicted through the use of a simple formulation.
Abstract
Simulations of Chesapeake Bay breezes are performed with varying water surface temperature (WST) datasets and formulations for the diurnal cycle of WST to determine whether more accurate depictions of water surface temperature improve prediction of bay breezes. The accuracy of simulations is measured against observed WST, inland wind speed and temperature, and in simulations’ ability to detect bay breezes via a detection algorithm developed for numerical model output. Missing WST data are found to be problematic within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model framework, especially when activating the prognostic equation for skin temperature, sst_skin. This is alleviated when filling all missing WST values with skin temperature values within the initial and boundary conditions. Performance of bay-breeze prediction is shown to be somewhat associated with the resolution of the WST dataset. Further, model performance in simulating WST as well as in simulating the Chesapeake Bay breeze is improved when diurnal fluctuations of WST are considered via the sst skin option. Prior to running simulations, model performance in simulating the bay breeze can be accurately predicted through the use of a simple formulation.
Abstract
A novel algorithm is developed for detecting and classifying the Chesapeake Bay breeze and similar water-body breezes in output from mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. To assess the generality of the new model-based detection algorithm (MBDA), it is tested on simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and on analyses and forecasts from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model. The MBDA outperforms three observation-based detection algorithms (OBDAs) when applied to the same model output. In addition, by defining the onshore wind directions on the basis of model land-use data and not on the actual geography of the region of interest, performance of the OBDAs with model output can be improved. Although simulations by the WRF Model were used to develop the new MBDA, it performed best when applied to HRRR analyses. The generality of the MBDA is promising, and additional tuning of its parameters might improve it further.
Abstract
A novel algorithm is developed for detecting and classifying the Chesapeake Bay breeze and similar water-body breezes in output from mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. To assess the generality of the new model-based detection algorithm (MBDA), it is tested on simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and on analyses and forecasts from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model. The MBDA outperforms three observation-based detection algorithms (OBDAs) when applied to the same model output. In addition, by defining the onshore wind directions on the basis of model land-use data and not on the actual geography of the region of interest, performance of the OBDAs with model output can be improved. Although simulations by the WRF Model were used to develop the new MBDA, it performed best when applied to HRRR analyses. The generality of the MBDA is promising, and additional tuning of its parameters might improve it further.
Meteorologists and other weather enthusiasts sometimes lament that they live in weather holes—places that receive less exciting weather than do their surroundings . This belief seems to stem from countless hours spent gazing at thunderstorms on displays of radar reflectivity. To test objectively whether radar observations truly bear out this belief, the authors analyzed 6 yr of composite reflectivity from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network. Statistics for 28 target cities, selected for their prominent meteorological communities, are compared with statistics for random points in the conterminous United States to see whether any of the targets is truly a weather hole or, perhaps, a hot spot—the counterpart to a hole. Holes and hot spots are defined by the frequency of convective echoes at a target relative to echoes in the surrounding region, and by the probability that convective echoes near a target were followed shortly by a convective echo at that target.
The data do, indeed, reveal mesoscale variability in occurrences of thunderstorms, as well as distinct signatures of storms' motion and the footprints of stormy regions at each target. However, although the data support the basic concept of convective weather holes and hot spots, only one of the meteorological targets fully met the authors' criteria for a hole and only one fully met their criteria for a hot spot. During the 6 yr studied, nearly all of the selected targets experienced convective storms about as often as their immediate surroundings did.
These results suggest that meteorologists are unnecessarily cranky about the frequency of storms in their hometowns. Meteorologists' belief that they live in weather holes may reveal the need to explore more deeply the statistical behavior of moist convection. The authors comment on some of the strengths and weaknesses of using composite reflectivity alone for that exploration and for determining weather holes and hot spots. Finally, the authors speculate that, with the proper quality control, statistics might serve in the near future as very powerful tools for probabilistic forecast guidance.
Meteorologists and other weather enthusiasts sometimes lament that they live in weather holes—places that receive less exciting weather than do their surroundings . This belief seems to stem from countless hours spent gazing at thunderstorms on displays of radar reflectivity. To test objectively whether radar observations truly bear out this belief, the authors analyzed 6 yr of composite reflectivity from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network. Statistics for 28 target cities, selected for their prominent meteorological communities, are compared with statistics for random points in the conterminous United States to see whether any of the targets is truly a weather hole or, perhaps, a hot spot—the counterpart to a hole. Holes and hot spots are defined by the frequency of convective echoes at a target relative to echoes in the surrounding region, and by the probability that convective echoes near a target were followed shortly by a convective echo at that target.
The data do, indeed, reveal mesoscale variability in occurrences of thunderstorms, as well as distinct signatures of storms' motion and the footprints of stormy regions at each target. However, although the data support the basic concept of convective weather holes and hot spots, only one of the meteorological targets fully met the authors' criteria for a hole and only one fully met their criteria for a hot spot. During the 6 yr studied, nearly all of the selected targets experienced convective storms about as often as their immediate surroundings did.
These results suggest that meteorologists are unnecessarily cranky about the frequency of storms in their hometowns. Meteorologists' belief that they live in weather holes may reveal the need to explore more deeply the statistical behavior of moist convection. The authors comment on some of the strengths and weaknesses of using composite reflectivity alone for that exploration and for determining weather holes and hot spots. Finally, the authors speculate that, with the proper quality control, statistics might serve in the near future as very powerful tools for probabilistic forecast guidance.
Abstract
Diffusion that is implicit in the odd-ordered advection schemes in early versions of the Advanced Research core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is sometimes insufficient to remove noise from kinematical fields. The problem is worst when grid-relative wind speeds are low and when stratification is nearly neutral or unstable, such as in weakly forced daytime boundary layers, where noise can grow until it competes with the physical phenomena being simulated. One solution to this problem is an explicit, sixth-order numerical diffusion scheme that preserves the WRF model’s high effective resolution and uses a flux limiter to ensure monotonicity. The scheme, and how it was added to the WRF model, are explained. The scheme is then demonstrated in an idealized framework and in simulations of salt breezes and lake breezes in northwestern Utah.
Abstract
Diffusion that is implicit in the odd-ordered advection schemes in early versions of the Advanced Research core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is sometimes insufficient to remove noise from kinematical fields. The problem is worst when grid-relative wind speeds are low and when stratification is nearly neutral or unstable, such as in weakly forced daytime boundary layers, where noise can grow until it competes with the physical phenomena being simulated. One solution to this problem is an explicit, sixth-order numerical diffusion scheme that preserves the WRF model’s high effective resolution and uses a flux limiter to ensure monotonicity. The scheme, and how it was added to the WRF model, are explained. The scheme is then demonstrated in an idealized framework and in simulations of salt breezes and lake breezes in northwestern Utah.
Abstract
The study describes a method of evaluating numerical weather prediction models by comparing the characteristics of temporal changes in simulated and observed 10-m (AGL) winds. The method is demonstrated on a 1-yr collection of 1-day simulations by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) over southern New Mexico. Temporal objects, or wind events, are defined at the observation locations and at each grid point in the model domain as vector wind changes over 2 h. Changes above the uppermost quartile of the distributions in the observations and simulations are empirically classified as significant; their attributes are analyzed and interpreted.
It is demonstrated that the model can discriminate between large and modest wind changes on a pointwise basis, suggesting that many forecast events have an observational counterpart. Spatial clusters of significant wind events are highly continuous in space and time. Such continuity suggests that displaying maps of surface wind changes with high temporal resolution can alert forecasters to the occurrence of important phenomena. Documented systematic errors in the amplitude, direction, and timing of wind events will allow forecasters to mentally adjust for biases in features forecast by the model.
Abstract
The study describes a method of evaluating numerical weather prediction models by comparing the characteristics of temporal changes in simulated and observed 10-m (AGL) winds. The method is demonstrated on a 1-yr collection of 1-day simulations by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) over southern New Mexico. Temporal objects, or wind events, are defined at the observation locations and at each grid point in the model domain as vector wind changes over 2 h. Changes above the uppermost quartile of the distributions in the observations and simulations are empirically classified as significant; their attributes are analyzed and interpreted.
It is demonstrated that the model can discriminate between large and modest wind changes on a pointwise basis, suggesting that many forecast events have an observational counterpart. Spatial clusters of significant wind events are highly continuous in space and time. Such continuity suggests that displaying maps of surface wind changes with high temporal resolution can alert forecasters to the occurrence of important phenomena. Documented systematic errors in the amplitude, direction, and timing of wind events will allow forecasters to mentally adjust for biases in features forecast by the model.
ABSTRACT
The simulated winds within the urban canopy of landfalling tropical cyclones are sensitive to the representation of the planetary boundary and urban canopy layers in numerical weather prediction models. To assess the subgrid-scale parameterizations of these layers, mesoscale model simulations were executed and evaluated against near-surface observations as the outer wind field of Hurricane Irma (2017) interacted with the built-up region from downtown Miami northward to West Palm Beach. Four model simulations were examined, comprising two different planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations (a local closure scheme with turbulent kinetic energy prediction and a nonlocal closure scheme) and two different urban canopy models (UCMs) [a zeroth-order bulk scheme and a multilayer building effect parameterization (BEP) that mimics the three-dimensionality of buildings]. Overall, the simulated urban canopy winds were weakly sensitive to the PBL scheme and strongly sensitive to the UCM. The bulk simulations compared most favorably to an analyzed wind swath in the urban environment, while the BEP simulations had larger negative biases in the same region. There is uncertainty in magnitude of the urban environment biases due to the lack of many urban sheltered measurements in the wind swath analysis. Biases in the rural environment were similar among the bulk and BEP simulations. An improved comparison with the analyzed wind swath in the urban region was obtained by reducing the drag coefficient in BEP in one of the PBL schemes. The usefulness of BEP was demonstrated in its ability to predict realistic heterogeneous near-surface velocity patterns in urban regions.
ABSTRACT
The simulated winds within the urban canopy of landfalling tropical cyclones are sensitive to the representation of the planetary boundary and urban canopy layers in numerical weather prediction models. To assess the subgrid-scale parameterizations of these layers, mesoscale model simulations were executed and evaluated against near-surface observations as the outer wind field of Hurricane Irma (2017) interacted with the built-up region from downtown Miami northward to West Palm Beach. Four model simulations were examined, comprising two different planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations (a local closure scheme with turbulent kinetic energy prediction and a nonlocal closure scheme) and two different urban canopy models (UCMs) [a zeroth-order bulk scheme and a multilayer building effect parameterization (BEP) that mimics the three-dimensionality of buildings]. Overall, the simulated urban canopy winds were weakly sensitive to the PBL scheme and strongly sensitive to the UCM. The bulk simulations compared most favorably to an analyzed wind swath in the urban environment, while the BEP simulations had larger negative biases in the same region. There is uncertainty in magnitude of the urban environment biases due to the lack of many urban sheltered measurements in the wind swath analysis. Biases in the rural environment were similar among the bulk and BEP simulations. An improved comparison with the analyzed wind swath in the urban region was obtained by reducing the drag coefficient in BEP in one of the PBL schemes. The usefulness of BEP was demonstrated in its ability to predict realistic heterogeneous near-surface velocity patterns in urban regions.
