Semi-Implicit Time-Integrators for a Scalable Spectral Element Atmospheric Model

Abstract

The Naval Research Laboratory's spectral element atmospheric model (NSEAM) for scalable computer architectures is presented. This new dynamical core is based on a high order spectral element (SE) method in space and uses semi-implicit methods in time based on either the traditional second order leapfrog (LF2) or second order backward difference formulas (BDF2). The novelties of NSEAM are: it is geometrically flexible and thereby can accommodate any type of grid; LF2 or BDF2 are used to construct the semi-implicit method; and the horizontal operators are written, discretized, and solved in three dimensional Cartesian space. The semi-implicit NSEAM is validated using five baroclinic test cases; direct comparisons to the explicit version of NSEAM which has been extensively tested and the results previously reported in the literature; and comparisons with operational weather prediction and well-established climate models.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA511509

Entities

People

  • Francis X. Giraldo

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

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  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)

Technology Areas

  • Space