Erika Roesler

(Sandia National Lab)

"High Resolution Modeling and Measurements in the Arctic"

What Meteo Colloquium GR UG
When Nov 30, 2016
from 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm
Where 112 Walker Building
Contact Name Hans Verlinde
Contact email
Contact Phone 814-863-9711
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Erika Roesler Sandia

Abstract: Higher resolution atmospheric models might improve the representation of polar clouds. Numerous techniques exist in producing high resolution model output. The first technique uses variable resolution in an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). In this technique, a region of high resolution (1/8-degree or ~14km) is selected over a space on the surface of the earth, and low resolution (1 degree or ~110km) is run elsewhere. A transition region bridges the low and high resolution areas. This technique uses one model, but cannot be pushed beyond 1/8-degree resolution due to hydrostatic limits. The second technique uses a cloud resolving model (CRM) called the System for Atmospheric Modeling, SAM, initialized and forced by reanalysis products. The resolution of a CRM can be at the meter-scale, but lacks surface and topographical representations that the AGCM contains. The third technique uses embedded CRM in an AGCM, often called a Multiscale Modeling Framework (MMF) or Super-Parameterization. These techniques are constrained by in situ measurements from sensors on a tethered balloon system on the North Slope of Alaska. Because balloon-borne measurements do not have extensive spatial or temporal coverage, we also rely on data from satellites and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program to compare with our model output. At minimum, we anticipate our understanding about minimum requirements for high resolution modeling of the atmosphere in polar regions will be greatly improved.