Advanced Research Version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) Model Runs at Jornada Experimental Range
Abstract
The CCDC Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is interested in high spatial and temporal resolution weather output with an emphasis on products that assist Warfighter decision aids and applications in battlefield environments. A model study was performed in support of the short-range Army tactical analysis/nowcasting system called the Weather Running Estimate-Nowcast, as well as longer-range forecasting support. The model used to investigate fine-scale weather processes, the advanced research Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF-ARW), was run with a triple nest of 9-, 3-, and 1-km grids over a 24-h period. One of the long-term intriguing areas of study is investigating model performance in complex terrain, such as the Jornada Experimental Range and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Model performance and validation are highly dependent on available initial data and data input. In many areas, weather observations remain inadequate to optimally run and evaluate high-resolution models such as the WRF-ARW. ARL developed the Meteorological Sensor Array (MSA), an agile, finely spaced grid of surface meteorological sensors to assist atmospheric models. This report is focused on model runs in complex terrain and how the MSA can help improve data assimilation and model performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1080943
Entities
People
- Jeffrey E. Passner
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory