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Abstract
Advanced operational four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVAR) schemes include a linearized version of moist convective parameterization and its adjoint. At the Meteorological Service of Canada, work is underway to implement 4DVAR for both global and regional operational data assimilation. Moreover, the Kain– Fritsch moist convective parameterization scheme is currently under operational testing for global and regional weather forecasting. Consequently, tangent linear and adjoint versions of this convective scheme have been developed. Sources of nonlinearities and accuracy of the tangent linear approximation of the convective scheme itself were examined. The procedure to test this latter aspect uses Monte Carlo simulations based on background error covariances from the operational three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) system at the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is shown that for a critical level of amplitudes of vertical perturbations of temperature or moisture greater than typically 0.1 K or 0.1 g kg−1, the tangent linear approximation becomes inaccurate (e.g., typical perturbation response having the wrong sign and amplitude errors larger than 100%). For such perturbation amplitudes, there is a rapid increase of convective points where the tangent linear convective approximation is very strongly in error. Deactivation of the Kain–Fritsch scheme becomes frequent and a significant source of invalid tangent linear approximation for input perturbations exceeding typically 0.3 K or 0.3 g kg−1. Potential implications of this study for linearized moist convection in the context of 4DVAR and moist singular vector computation are discussed.
Abstract
Advanced operational four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVAR) schemes include a linearized version of moist convective parameterization and its adjoint. At the Meteorological Service of Canada, work is underway to implement 4DVAR for both global and regional operational data assimilation. Moreover, the Kain– Fritsch moist convective parameterization scheme is currently under operational testing for global and regional weather forecasting. Consequently, tangent linear and adjoint versions of this convective scheme have been developed. Sources of nonlinearities and accuracy of the tangent linear approximation of the convective scheme itself were examined. The procedure to test this latter aspect uses Monte Carlo simulations based on background error covariances from the operational three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) system at the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is shown that for a critical level of amplitudes of vertical perturbations of temperature or moisture greater than typically 0.1 K or 0.1 g kg−1, the tangent linear approximation becomes inaccurate (e.g., typical perturbation response having the wrong sign and amplitude errors larger than 100%). For such perturbation amplitudes, there is a rapid increase of convective points where the tangent linear convective approximation is very strongly in error. Deactivation of the Kain–Fritsch scheme becomes frequent and a significant source of invalid tangent linear approximation for input perturbations exceeding typically 0.3 K or 0.3 g kg−1. Potential implications of this study for linearized moist convection in the context of 4DVAR and moist singular vector computation are discussed.
Abstract
The relative roles of implicit and explicit condensation schemes in the numerical representation of a squall line that occurred on 7–8 May 1995 over the southern Great Plains are examined in this study using Mesoscale Compressible Community model integrations at 2-, 6-, 18-, and 50-km resolution. Results from the 2-km model in which condensation is explicitly represented agree best with observations and are used as “synthetic” data to evaluate the performance of lower-resolution configurations.
It is found that the representation of the squall system greatly deteriorates as resolution is decreased and that the relative roles of the implicit and explicit condensation schemes change dramatically. At 6-km resolution, the leading convective band is barely resolved by the model, and the implicit–explicit partition of precipitation is ambiguous because both implicit and explicit schemes are active simultaneously at the leading edge of the system. In spite of this ambiguity, it is found that use of a deep convection scheme is still beneficial to the squall-line simulation. At 18 km, the convective line is not resolved by the model, and its effect is completely due to the implicit scheme. The mesoscale circulations in the trailing anvil region of the squall system are generated at the small end of the model resolvable scales and are exaggeratedly intense. There is no ambiguity concerning the partition of condensation into implicit and explicit components at this resolution, but the relative intensity of precipitation produced by the two cloud schemes is opposite to what is observed, considering that the implicit scheme is supposed to represent subgrid-scale convection at the leading edge of the system, and the explicit scheme the grid-scale condensation in the trailing anvil. At 50 km, both the leading convection and the mesoscale circulations in the trailing anvil have to be parameterized because they are not resolved at the model grid scale. The precipitation and internal structures associated with the squall line are thus not well represented at this resolution.
The results also show that all the configurations produce precipitation accumulations that are much larger than observations. This problem is most important at 18-km resolution. Grid-scale condensation is mostly responsible for this rainfall overestimation. It is suggested that this problem is linked to a misrepresentation of convective-scale processes.
Abstract
The relative roles of implicit and explicit condensation schemes in the numerical representation of a squall line that occurred on 7–8 May 1995 over the southern Great Plains are examined in this study using Mesoscale Compressible Community model integrations at 2-, 6-, 18-, and 50-km resolution. Results from the 2-km model in which condensation is explicitly represented agree best with observations and are used as “synthetic” data to evaluate the performance of lower-resolution configurations.
It is found that the representation of the squall system greatly deteriorates as resolution is decreased and that the relative roles of the implicit and explicit condensation schemes change dramatically. At 6-km resolution, the leading convective band is barely resolved by the model, and the implicit–explicit partition of precipitation is ambiguous because both implicit and explicit schemes are active simultaneously at the leading edge of the system. In spite of this ambiguity, it is found that use of a deep convection scheme is still beneficial to the squall-line simulation. At 18 km, the convective line is not resolved by the model, and its effect is completely due to the implicit scheme. The mesoscale circulations in the trailing anvil region of the squall system are generated at the small end of the model resolvable scales and are exaggeratedly intense. There is no ambiguity concerning the partition of condensation into implicit and explicit components at this resolution, but the relative intensity of precipitation produced by the two cloud schemes is opposite to what is observed, considering that the implicit scheme is supposed to represent subgrid-scale convection at the leading edge of the system, and the explicit scheme the grid-scale condensation in the trailing anvil. At 50 km, both the leading convection and the mesoscale circulations in the trailing anvil have to be parameterized because they are not resolved at the model grid scale. The precipitation and internal structures associated with the squall line are thus not well represented at this resolution.
The results also show that all the configurations produce precipitation accumulations that are much larger than observations. This problem is most important at 18-km resolution. Grid-scale condensation is mostly responsible for this rainfall overestimation. It is suggested that this problem is linked to a misrepresentation of convective-scale processes.
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in the understanding of two-dimensional structures of squall lines, little attention has been paid to the along-line variability of these convective systems. In this study, the roles of meso- and larger-scale circulations in the generation of along-line variability of squall lines are investigated, using an 18-h prediction of a frontal squall line that occurred on 26–27 June 1985 during PRE-STORM (Preliminary Regional Experiment for Stormscale Operational Research Meteorology). It is shown that the Canadian regional finite-element (RFE) model reproduces reasonably well a number of surface and vertical circulation structures of the squall system, as verified against available network observations. These include the initiation, propagation, and dissipation of the squall system, surface pressure perturbations, and cold outflow boundaries; a midlevel mesolow and an upper-level mesohigh; a front-to-rear (FTR) ascending flow overlying an intense rear-to-front (RTF) flow; and a leading convective line followed by stratiform precipitation regions.
It is found that across-line circulations at the northern segment of the squall line differ significantly from those at its southern segment, including the different types of precipitation, the absence of the RTF flow and midlevel mesolow, and the early dissipation of organized convection in the northern part. The along-line variability of the squall’s circulations results primarily from the interaction of convectively generated perturbations with a midlevel baroclinic trough. The large-scale trough provides an extensive RTF flow component in the southern portion of the squall system and an FTR flow component in the north, whereas the midlevel mesolow tends to enhance the RTF flow to the south and the FTR flow to the north of the mesolow during the mature to decaying stages. The along-line variability of the squall’s circulations appears to be partly responsible for the generation of different weather conditions along the line, such as the development of an upper-level stratiform region in the southern segment and a midlevel cloud region in the northern portion of the squall line.
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in the understanding of two-dimensional structures of squall lines, little attention has been paid to the along-line variability of these convective systems. In this study, the roles of meso- and larger-scale circulations in the generation of along-line variability of squall lines are investigated, using an 18-h prediction of a frontal squall line that occurred on 26–27 June 1985 during PRE-STORM (Preliminary Regional Experiment for Stormscale Operational Research Meteorology). It is shown that the Canadian regional finite-element (RFE) model reproduces reasonably well a number of surface and vertical circulation structures of the squall system, as verified against available network observations. These include the initiation, propagation, and dissipation of the squall system, surface pressure perturbations, and cold outflow boundaries; a midlevel mesolow and an upper-level mesohigh; a front-to-rear (FTR) ascending flow overlying an intense rear-to-front (RTF) flow; and a leading convective line followed by stratiform precipitation regions.
It is found that across-line circulations at the northern segment of the squall line differ significantly from those at its southern segment, including the different types of precipitation, the absence of the RTF flow and midlevel mesolow, and the early dissipation of organized convection in the northern part. The along-line variability of the squall’s circulations results primarily from the interaction of convectively generated perturbations with a midlevel baroclinic trough. The large-scale trough provides an extensive RTF flow component in the southern portion of the squall system and an FTR flow component in the north, whereas the midlevel mesolow tends to enhance the RTF flow to the south and the FTR flow to the north of the mesolow during the mature to decaying stages. The along-line variability of the squall’s circulations appears to be partly responsible for the generation of different weather conditions along the line, such as the development of an upper-level stratiform region in the southern segment and a midlevel cloud region in the northern portion of the squall line.
Abstract
As harvesting of wind energy grows, so does the need for improved forecasts from the surface to the top of wind turbines. To improve mesoscale forecasts of wind, temperature, and dewpoint temperature in this layer, two different approaches are examined. In the first experiment, the vertical resolution of a limited-area model with 2.5-km grid spacing (LAM-2.5 km) is significantly increased near the surface to better represent profiles in that layer. In the second experiment, prognostic variables for land and ocean surfaces are initialized using results from an external land surface model system [the Global Environmental Multiscale Surface system (GEM-Surf)] and from a regional ocean model. Results show that increasing the vertical resolution near the surface leads to improved temperature and dewpoint temperature forecasts at the surface and in the wind turbine layer. For winds, improvements are more modest, because they are limited to the gradient measured across the span of the vertical wind turbine blades. On the other hand, the replacement of operational surface analyses with high-resolution analyses obtained from GEM-Surf is found to improve summer dewpoint temperature forecasts. It is shown that changes in soil moisture analyses explain the bulk of the improved dewpoint forecasts.
Abstract
As harvesting of wind energy grows, so does the need for improved forecasts from the surface to the top of wind turbines. To improve mesoscale forecasts of wind, temperature, and dewpoint temperature in this layer, two different approaches are examined. In the first experiment, the vertical resolution of a limited-area model with 2.5-km grid spacing (LAM-2.5 km) is significantly increased near the surface to better represent profiles in that layer. In the second experiment, prognostic variables for land and ocean surfaces are initialized using results from an external land surface model system [the Global Environmental Multiscale Surface system (GEM-Surf)] and from a regional ocean model. Results show that increasing the vertical resolution near the surface leads to improved temperature and dewpoint temperature forecasts at the surface and in the wind turbine layer. For winds, improvements are more modest, because they are limited to the gradient measured across the span of the vertical wind turbine blades. On the other hand, the replacement of operational surface analyses with high-resolution analyses obtained from GEM-Surf is found to improve summer dewpoint temperature forecasts. It is shown that changes in soil moisture analyses explain the bulk of the improved dewpoint forecasts.
Abstract
The capability of the Canadian land surface external modeling system known as the Global Environmental Multiscale Surface (GEM-SURF) system with respect to surface wind predictions is evaluated. Based on the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) land surface scheme, and an exponential power law adjusted to the local stability conditions for the prediction of surface winds, the system allows decoupling of surface processes from those of the free atmosphere and enables high resolutions at the surface as dictated by the small-scale heterogeneities of the surface boundary. The simulations are driven by downscaled forecasts from the Regional Deterministic Prediction System, the 15-km Canadian regional operational modeling system. High-resolution, satellite-derived datasets of orography, vegetation, and soil cover are used to depict the surface boundary. The integration domains cover Canada’s eastern provinces at resolutions ranging from that of the driving model to resolutions similar to those of the geophysical datasets. The GEM-SURF predictions outperform those of the driving operational model. Reduction of the standard error and improvement of the model skill is seen as resolution increases, for all wind speeds. Further, the bias error is reduced in association with a rise in the corresponding value of the roughness length. For all examined resolutions GEM-SURF’s predictions are shown to be superior to those obtained through a simple statistical downscaling. In the prospect of the future development of a multicomponent system that provides wind forecasts at levels of wind energy generation, GEM-SURF’s potential for improved scores at the surface and its limited requirements in computer resources make it a suitable surface component of such a system.
Abstract
The capability of the Canadian land surface external modeling system known as the Global Environmental Multiscale Surface (GEM-SURF) system with respect to surface wind predictions is evaluated. Based on the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) land surface scheme, and an exponential power law adjusted to the local stability conditions for the prediction of surface winds, the system allows decoupling of surface processes from those of the free atmosphere and enables high resolutions at the surface as dictated by the small-scale heterogeneities of the surface boundary. The simulations are driven by downscaled forecasts from the Regional Deterministic Prediction System, the 15-km Canadian regional operational modeling system. High-resolution, satellite-derived datasets of orography, vegetation, and soil cover are used to depict the surface boundary. The integration domains cover Canada’s eastern provinces at resolutions ranging from that of the driving model to resolutions similar to those of the geophysical datasets. The GEM-SURF predictions outperform those of the driving operational model. Reduction of the standard error and improvement of the model skill is seen as resolution increases, for all wind speeds. Further, the bias error is reduced in association with a rise in the corresponding value of the roughness length. For all examined resolutions GEM-SURF’s predictions are shown to be superior to those obtained through a simple statistical downscaling. In the prospect of the future development of a multicomponent system that provides wind forecasts at levels of wind energy generation, GEM-SURF’s potential for improved scores at the surface and its limited requirements in computer resources make it a suitable surface component of such a system.
Abstract
The role and impact that boundary layer and shallow cumulus clouds have on the medium-range forecast of a large-scale weather system is discussed in this study. A mesoscale version of the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) atmospheric model is used to produce a 5-day numerical forecast of a midlatitude large-scale weather system that occurred over the Pacific Ocean during February 2003. In this version of GEM, four different schemes are used to represent (i) boundary layer clouds (including stratus, stratocumulus, and small cumulus clouds), (ii) shallow cumulus clouds (overshooting cumulus), (iii) deep convection, and (iv) nonconvective clouds. Two of these schemes, that is, the so-called MoisTKE and Kuo Transient schemes for boundary layer and overshooting cumulus clouds, respectively, have been recently introduced in GEM and are described in more detail.
The results show that GEM, with this new cloud package, is able to represent the wide variety of clouds observed in association with the large-scale weather system. In particular, it is found that the Kuo Transient scheme is mostly responsible for the shallow/intermediate cumulus clouds in the rear portion of the large-scale system, whereas MoisTKE produces the low-level stratocumulus clouds ahead of the system. Several diagnostics for the rear portion of the system reveal that the role of MoisTKE is mainly to increase the vertical transport (diffusion) associated with the boundary layer clouds, while Kuo Transient is acting in a manner more consistent with convective stabilization. As a consequence, MoisTKE is not able to remove the low-level shallow cloud layer that is incorrectly produced by the GEM nonconvective condensation scheme. Kuo Transient, in contrast, led to a significant reduction of these nonconvective clouds, in better agreement with satellite observations. This improved representation of stratocumulus and cumulus clouds does not have a large impact on the overall sea level pressure patterns of the large-scale weather system. Precipitation in the rear portion of the system, however, is found to be smoother when MoisTKE is used, and significantly less when the Kuo Transient scheme is switched on.
Abstract
The role and impact that boundary layer and shallow cumulus clouds have on the medium-range forecast of a large-scale weather system is discussed in this study. A mesoscale version of the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) atmospheric model is used to produce a 5-day numerical forecast of a midlatitude large-scale weather system that occurred over the Pacific Ocean during February 2003. In this version of GEM, four different schemes are used to represent (i) boundary layer clouds (including stratus, stratocumulus, and small cumulus clouds), (ii) shallow cumulus clouds (overshooting cumulus), (iii) deep convection, and (iv) nonconvective clouds. Two of these schemes, that is, the so-called MoisTKE and Kuo Transient schemes for boundary layer and overshooting cumulus clouds, respectively, have been recently introduced in GEM and are described in more detail.
The results show that GEM, with this new cloud package, is able to represent the wide variety of clouds observed in association with the large-scale weather system. In particular, it is found that the Kuo Transient scheme is mostly responsible for the shallow/intermediate cumulus clouds in the rear portion of the large-scale system, whereas MoisTKE produces the low-level stratocumulus clouds ahead of the system. Several diagnostics for the rear portion of the system reveal that the role of MoisTKE is mainly to increase the vertical transport (diffusion) associated with the boundary layer clouds, while Kuo Transient is acting in a manner more consistent with convective stabilization. As a consequence, MoisTKE is not able to remove the low-level shallow cloud layer that is incorrectly produced by the GEM nonconvective condensation scheme. Kuo Transient, in contrast, led to a significant reduction of these nonconvective clouds, in better agreement with satellite observations. This improved representation of stratocumulus and cumulus clouds does not have a large impact on the overall sea level pressure patterns of the large-scale weather system. Precipitation in the rear portion of the system, however, is found to be smoother when MoisTKE is used, and significantly less when the Kuo Transient scheme is switched on.
Abstract
Numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems operational at many national centers are nowadays used at the kilometer scale. The next generation of NWP models will provide forecasts at the subkilometer scale. Large impacts are expected in mountainous terrain characterized by highly variable orography. This study investigates the ability of the Canadian NWP system to provide an accurate forecast of near-surface variables at the subkilometer scale in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in wintertime when the region is fully covered by snow. Observations collected at valley and high-altitude stations are used to evaluate forecast accuracy at three different grid spacing (2.5, 1, and 0.25 km) over a period of 15 days. Decreasing grid spacing was found to improve temperature forecasts at high-altitude stations because of better orography representation. In contrast, no improvement is obtained at valley stations due to an inability of the model to fully capture at all resolutions the intensity of valley cold pools forming during nighttime. Errors in relative humidity reveal that the model tends to overestimate relative humidity at all resolutions, without improvement with decreasing grid spacing. Wind speed forecasts show large improvements with decreasing grid spacing for high-altitude stations exposed to or sheltered from wind. However, no systematic improvement with decreasing grid spacing is found for all stations, which is similar to previous studies. In addition, the model’s sensitivity at subkilometer grid spacing is investigated by evaluating the effects of (i) accounting for additional drag generated by subgrid orographic features, (ii) considering slope angle and aspect on surface radiation, and (iii) using high-resolution initialization for the surface fields.
Abstract
Numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems operational at many national centers are nowadays used at the kilometer scale. The next generation of NWP models will provide forecasts at the subkilometer scale. Large impacts are expected in mountainous terrain characterized by highly variable orography. This study investigates the ability of the Canadian NWP system to provide an accurate forecast of near-surface variables at the subkilometer scale in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in wintertime when the region is fully covered by snow. Observations collected at valley and high-altitude stations are used to evaluate forecast accuracy at three different grid spacing (2.5, 1, and 0.25 km) over a period of 15 days. Decreasing grid spacing was found to improve temperature forecasts at high-altitude stations because of better orography representation. In contrast, no improvement is obtained at valley stations due to an inability of the model to fully capture at all resolutions the intensity of valley cold pools forming during nighttime. Errors in relative humidity reveal that the model tends to overestimate relative humidity at all resolutions, without improvement with decreasing grid spacing. Wind speed forecasts show large improvements with decreasing grid spacing for high-altitude stations exposed to or sheltered from wind. However, no systematic improvement with decreasing grid spacing is found for all stations, which is similar to previous studies. In addition, the model’s sensitivity at subkilometer grid spacing is investigated by evaluating the effects of (i) accounting for additional drag generated by subgrid orographic features, (ii) considering slope angle and aspect on surface radiation, and (iii) using high-resolution initialization for the surface fields.
Abstract
There are numerous water features on the Canadian landscapes that are not monitored. Specifically, there are water bodies over the prairies and Canadian shield regions of North America that are ephemeral in nature and could have a significant influence on convective storm generation and local weather patterns through turbulent exchanges of sensible and latent heat between the land and the atmosphere. In this study a series of numerical experiments is performed with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model at 2.5-km grid spacing to examine the sensitivity of the atmospheric boundary layer and the resulting precipitation to the presence of open water bodies. Operationally, the land–water fraction in GEM is specified by means of static geophysical databases that do not change with time. Uncertainty is introduced in this study into this land–water fraction and the sensitivity of the resulting precipitation is quantified for a convective precipitation event occurring over the Canadian Prairies in the summer of 2014. The results indicate that with an increase in open water bodies, accumulated precipitation, peak precipitation amounts, and intensities decrease. Moreover, shifts are seen in times of peak for both precipitation amounts and intensities, in the order of increasing wetness. Additionally, with an increase in open water bodies, convective available potential energy decreases and convective inhibition increases, indicating suppression of forcing for convective precipitation.
Abstract
There are numerous water features on the Canadian landscapes that are not monitored. Specifically, there are water bodies over the prairies and Canadian shield regions of North America that are ephemeral in nature and could have a significant influence on convective storm generation and local weather patterns through turbulent exchanges of sensible and latent heat between the land and the atmosphere. In this study a series of numerical experiments is performed with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model at 2.5-km grid spacing to examine the sensitivity of the atmospheric boundary layer and the resulting precipitation to the presence of open water bodies. Operationally, the land–water fraction in GEM is specified by means of static geophysical databases that do not change with time. Uncertainty is introduced in this study into this land–water fraction and the sensitivity of the resulting precipitation is quantified for a convective precipitation event occurring over the Canadian Prairies in the summer of 2014. The results indicate that with an increase in open water bodies, accumulated precipitation, peak precipitation amounts, and intensities decrease. Moreover, shifts are seen in times of peak for both precipitation amounts and intensities, in the order of increasing wetness. Additionally, with an increase in open water bodies, convective available potential energy decreases and convective inhibition increases, indicating suppression of forcing for convective precipitation.
Abstract
The influence of soil moisture on the surface-layer atmosphere is examined in this paper by analyzing the outputs of model simulations for different initial soil moisture configurations, with particular emphasis on urban microclimate. In addition to a control case, four different soil moisture distributions within the urban and surrounding rural areas are considered in this study. Outputs from the Global Environmental Multiscale atmospheric model simulations are compared with observations from the Joint Urban 2003 experiment held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the relevant conclusions drawn in this paper are therefore valid for similar medium-size cities. In general, high soil moisture is found to be associated with colder near-surface temperature and lower near-surface wind speed, whereas drier soil resulted in warmer temperatures and enhanced low-level wind. Relative to urban soil moisture content, rural soil conditions are predicted to have larger impacts on both rural and urban surface-layer meteorological conditions. Dry rural and wet urban soil configurations are shown to have a strong influence on the urban–rural temperature contrast and resulted in city-induced secondary circulations that considerably affect the near-surface wind speed. Dry rural soil in particular is found to intensify the nocturnal low-level jet and significantly affect the thermal stability of nocturnal near-neutral urban surface layer by altering both thermal and mechanical generation of turbulence.
Abstract
The influence of soil moisture on the surface-layer atmosphere is examined in this paper by analyzing the outputs of model simulations for different initial soil moisture configurations, with particular emphasis on urban microclimate. In addition to a control case, four different soil moisture distributions within the urban and surrounding rural areas are considered in this study. Outputs from the Global Environmental Multiscale atmospheric model simulations are compared with observations from the Joint Urban 2003 experiment held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the relevant conclusions drawn in this paper are therefore valid for similar medium-size cities. In general, high soil moisture is found to be associated with colder near-surface temperature and lower near-surface wind speed, whereas drier soil resulted in warmer temperatures and enhanced low-level wind. Relative to urban soil moisture content, rural soil conditions are predicted to have larger impacts on both rural and urban surface-layer meteorological conditions. Dry rural and wet urban soil configurations are shown to have a strong influence on the urban–rural temperature contrast and resulted in city-induced secondary circulations that considerably affect the near-surface wind speed. Dry rural soil in particular is found to intensify the nocturnal low-level jet and significantly affect the thermal stability of nocturnal near-neutral urban surface layer by altering both thermal and mechanical generation of turbulence.
Abstract
A one-dimensional (1D) version of a blowing snow model, called PIEKTUK-D, has been incorporated into a snow–sea ice coupled system. Blowing snow results in sublimation of approximately 12 mm of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is equal to approximately 6% of the annual precipitation over 324 days from 1997 to 1998. This effect leads to an average decrease of 9 cm in snow depth for an 11-month simulation of the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) dataset (from 31 October 1997 to 1 October 1998). Inclusion of blowing snow has a significant impact on snow evolution between February and June, during which it is responsible for a decrease in snow depth error by about 30%. Between November and January, however, other factors such as regional surface topography or horizontal wind transport may have had a greater influence on the evolution of the snowpack and sea ice. During these few months the new system does not perform as well, with a snow depth percentage error of 39%—much larger than the 12% error found between February and June. The results also indicate a slight increase of 4 cm on average for ice thickness, and a decrease of 0.4 K for the temperature at the snow–ice interface. One of the main effects of blowing snow is to shorten the duration of snow cover above sea ice by approximately 4 days and to lead to earlier ice melt by approximately 6 days. Blowing snow also has a very small impact on internal characteristics of the snowpack, such as grain size and density, leading to a weaker snowpack.
Abstract
A one-dimensional (1D) version of a blowing snow model, called PIEKTUK-D, has been incorporated into a snow–sea ice coupled system. Blowing snow results in sublimation of approximately 12 mm of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is equal to approximately 6% of the annual precipitation over 324 days from 1997 to 1998. This effect leads to an average decrease of 9 cm in snow depth for an 11-month simulation of the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) dataset (from 31 October 1997 to 1 October 1998). Inclusion of blowing snow has a significant impact on snow evolution between February and June, during which it is responsible for a decrease in snow depth error by about 30%. Between November and January, however, other factors such as regional surface topography or horizontal wind transport may have had a greater influence on the evolution of the snowpack and sea ice. During these few months the new system does not perform as well, with a snow depth percentage error of 39%—much larger than the 12% error found between February and June. The results also indicate a slight increase of 4 cm on average for ice thickness, and a decrease of 0.4 K for the temperature at the snow–ice interface. One of the main effects of blowing snow is to shorten the duration of snow cover above sea ice by approximately 4 days and to lead to earlier ice melt by approximately 6 days. Blowing snow also has a very small impact on internal characteristics of the snowpack, such as grain size and density, leading to a weaker snowpack.
