Short-Range Forecasting Using a One-Dimensional Planetary Boundary Layer Model
Abstract
An investigation of a one dimensional planetary boundary layer model is performed to test its ability to accurately predict temperature and dew point temperature for a 12 hour period. The model is initialized using upper air sounding data on three separate cases. For each case, four experiments are run to determine which parameters are most critical in providing the best forecast results. These tests include changing the values of soil moisture, running the model with a different soil type and lowering the value of the writing point. The default parameter tests showed extremely good results for temperature; however, the results for dew point temperature were highly variable and quite often poor. This motivated the development of an antecedent retention index(ARI) to compute soil moisture. The test performed with the ARI improved the dew point temperature forecasts dramatically. Also examined are the sensitivity of boundary layer height, cloud cover, and model surface energy balance output to soil moisture content. The models temperature and dew point temperature forecasts could be used for air mass thunderstorm forecasting. Future applications of the model include the incorporation of vertical velocity and the advection of temperature, moisture and momentum from software available at Florida State University.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA231704
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Borland
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology