Development and Testing of the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)
Abstract
A three-dimensional coupled ocean/atmosphere mesoscale prediction system (COAMPS) has been developed, consisting of a nonhydrostatic atmospheric model and a hydrostatic ocean model. The models can be integrated simultaneously so that the surface fluxes of heat, momentum, and moisture are exchanged across the air-water interface every time step. Optionally, either the atmospheric model or the ocean model can be used as a stand-alone system. Two idealized simulations of a hurricane are performed In the first simulation, only the atmospheric model is used, assuming a fixed sea surface temperature. A realistic hurricane structure with spiral bands develops. Evidence is found of concentric eye walls interacting to modify the intensification of the hurricane. In the second simulation, the ocean model is run simultaneously with the atmospheric model. After 84 hours, the sea surface temperature decreases more than 8 deg C within the radius of maximum winds. While this has a large impact on the intensity of the system (i.e., the strength of the maximum winds), there is little change in the overall structure of the system as measured by the tangential velocities outside the radius of maximum winds. COAMPS, Atmospheric model, Mesoscale prediction, Ocean model
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273925
Entities
People
- Richard M. Hodur
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory