TWINDX: A Planetary Boundary Layer Model for the Winds in Extratropical and Tropical Ocean Areas.
Abstract
The theory and programming details of a planetary boundary layer model that describes the winds from the surface of the ocean to several hundred meters in the tropics and from the surface to the gradient wind level in extratropical regions are given. The model, called TWINDX for Trade Winds and Wind EXpanded Scale, is for use on a 123 by 123 polar stereographic projection. The required input fields are the atmospheric pressure at the sea surface, and the sea surface temperature for the extratropical regions. For the tropical regions, the sea surface pressure field and field for the height of the lifting condensation level are needed. Various options are given, and additional options and improvements are described. The outputs are the vector wind at an elevation of 19.5 meters and the vector wind that would have been measured in a neutrally stratified atmosphere at an elevation of 19.5 meters, along with other fields, as options, that are useful for analysis and interpretation. The vector wind for a neutral stratification can then be compared with the output of the SASS on SEASAT to remove aliases and provide a wind field that can, in turn, be used to improve on the initial values required for a numerical weather prediction. Since the preparation of this report, additional material on SEASAT winds and the planetary boundary layer has appeared; a list of supplementary references has been added. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA074337
Entities
People
- Willard J. Pierson
Organizations
- City University of New York