Numerical simulation of flow data over two-dimensional hills

We have studied a neutrally-stratified flow over two-dimensional hills using a two-dimensional, non-hydrostatic version of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). We have implemented three different turbulence closure models: the standardE- model, an Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (ARSM) and a new model. Model predictions for the mean and turbulence flows using different closure schemes are compared with the data of a wind tunnel experiment containing isolated two-dimensional hills of varying slope. From the comparison, it is concluded that all three models predict the mean flow velocities equally well while only the new closure model accurately predicts the turbulence data statistics.The research reported in this paper was conducted while the first author held a National Research Council (NRC) Associateship.     

Numerical simulation of turbulent convective flow over wavy terrain

By means of a large-eddy simulation, the convective boundary layer is investigated for flows over wavy terrain. The lower surface varies sinusoidally in the downstream direction while remaining constant in the other. Several cases are considered with amplitude up to 0.15H and wavelength ofH to 8H, whereH is the mean fluid-layer height. At the lower surface, the vertical heat flux is prescribed to be constant and the momentum flux is determined locally from the Monin-Obukhov relationship with a roughness lengthz _o=10^–4 H. The mean wind is varied between zero and 5w _*, wherew _* is the convective velocity scale. After rather long times, the flow structure shows horizontal scales up to 4H, with a pattern similar to that over flat surfaces at corresponding shear friction. Weak mean wind destroys regular spatial structures induced by the surface undulation at zero mean wind. The surface heating suppresses mean-flow recirculation-regions even for steep surface waves. Short surface waves cause strong drag due to hydrostatic and dynamic pressure forces in addition to frictional drag. The pressure drag increases slowly with the mean velocity, and strongly with /H. The turbulence variances increase mainly in the lower half of the mixed layer forU/w _*>2.     

Numerical simulation of the boundary layer above waves

A new approach to investigations of the structure of the boundary layer above waves is discussed. The approach is based on direct numerical simulation of wave motions in the boundary layer produced by a moving curved surface. Model equations are derived, which are the Reynolds equations in a curvilinear nonstationary system of co-ordinates, evolution equations for turbulent kinetic energy, and Kolmogorov's approximate similarity formulae relating the coefficient of turbulent viscosity to the dissipation of turbulent energy; the length scale is assumed to grow linearly with increasing distance from the surface. Principles of constructing the model numerical scheme are described. Results are given of modelling the structure of the boundary layer above a nonsteady surface, which, in a general case, is a superposition of progressive waves with assigned dispersion relations and amplitudes. Mechanisms of energy and momentum transfer to the surface, effects of density stratification and energy structure in the boundary layer are studied. Merits and demerits of the approach are discussed.     

Some evidence of organized flow over natural waves

Measurements of the flow characteristics at 2 m over unobstructed wave surfaces on Lake Michigan were made using an anemometer-bivane as a velocity sensor. During one 40-min period of measurement, significant energy concentration was observed at the frequency of dominant surface waves in the vertical and cross wind spectra. Cross spectra between the surface elevation and vertical motions in the flow indicate that the surface lags the vertical motions by about 55 ° at the frequency of dominant waves.     

辽宁中部城市群主要大气污染物时空分布特征的数值模拟

利用美国第三代空气质量模式系统Models-3对2002年1月17～18日辽宁中部城市群大气污染物SO2,NO2和PM10的浓度分布进行了数值模拟,并将模拟结果与监测结果进行了对比分析。结果表明:污染物的模拟值与观测值变化趋势具有一致性,模式反映了SO2,NO2和PM10浓度的时空分布特征和变化规律,再现了污染物浓度呈波峰波谷日变化的重要特征,可用于辽宁中部城市群区域大气污染物的研究。     

The observed generation and breaking of atmospheric internal gravity waves over the ocean

Observations are presented for internal gravity waves and their breaking at a height of 23.5 m over the ocean in surface-based inversions which are formed because of the advection of warm air over cold water. The spectral and cospectral analyses of velocity and temperature fluctuations were made to establish the characteristic features of the waves. Flow visualization photographs of smoke released during the breaking of a wave are also presented. Comparison between the turbulent energies present during and after breaking of a wave indicates enormous mixing and dispersion occurring during breaking.This research was performed under Contract No. EY-76-C-02-0016 with the United States Energy Research and Development Administration.     

太原市大气扩散数值模拟

本文采用数值方法求解平流扩散方程，对太原市的一次示踪物实验进行了大气扩散的数值模拟。模拟结果表明：采用数值方法准确地反映出了由于风的切变而导致的污染物烟羽的转向，能较好地模拟复杂地形下太原市污染物的输送扩散过程。     

Structure of air flow separation over wind wave crests

Air flow over wind waves generated in a wind-wave tunnel was visualized by numerous tiny suspended particles (zinc stearate), and instantaneous air flow fields over about one wavelength of wind waves were obtained. Air flow separation was detected over the wave crest in about a half of the samples. In such cases, the separation started near the crest about half of the time, with a vortex trapped over the convergence point of the surface flow which appeared at the leeward face of the crest. This structure was much different from a previously imagined picture in which the separation started at the convergence point. The high frequency of its occurrence suggested the stability of this structure. However, even when this structure was clearly seen, the structure behind the vortex to the next wave crest had various patterns. This variety seems to be related to an instability of the high-shear layer accompanied by separation. Other varieties were also seen, such as the occurrence of separation without the above mentioned structure, as well as the existence of non-separated air flow structures. These varieties seem to be related to the variability of individual wind wave crests. An analysis of correlation between the wave form and the air flow structure over it shows that there is a critical value of local gradient of wave form, above which the air flow always separates. This fact suggests a strong coupling between the air and the water, i.e., the local stress exerted on the water surface changes the nature of a wave crest, especially its form, and as a result, the air flow structure over it changes drastically.Decreased 21 November, 1981. Final draft of the paper prepared by Professor Yoshiaki Toba, Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University.     

Numerical simulation of a cut-off low over southern Australia

Summary Cut-off low pressure systems over southern Australia are synoptic scale low pressure systems which have a closed circulation at the surface and a deep trough at the 500 hPa level. They usually develop from a deep trough in the westerlies, and often are companied by a Southern Ocean cold front. It is one of the most significant types of weather systems over southern Australia. Moderate or heavy rainfall is often associated with cut-off lows. Few studies so far have been conducted on them. In terms of prediction, the most interesting aspects are the position and intensity of the cut-off low pressure systems, the rainfall amount and distribution and sharp winds, when they are present. In this paper, a numerical model developed at the University of New South Wales, HIRES (HIgh RESolution model), is employed to simulate the cut-off low of August 31 to September 2, 1997. The modeling results are encouraging, showing that HIRES can forecast very well the location and intensity of the cut-off low system and its associated precipitation. The impact of an improved, explicit physics scheme on the simulation is also examined. The explicit scheme further improves the rainfall prediction. Received August 7, 1999 Revised October 23, 1999     

A case of persistent breaking of internal gravity waves in the atmospheric surface layer over the ocean

Formation and breaking of internal gravity waves contributing to a very significant increase in turbulence in the atmospheric surface layer over the Atlantic Ocean off Long Island, New York are reported. Contrary to the bursts that are characteristically of short duration, this increase in turbulence lasted for more than one hour and was typical of what one would observe during unstable atmospheric conditions. However, mean temperature profiles indicated strong stable conditions.This research was performed under the auspices of the United States Department of Energy Under Contract No. EY-76-C-02-0016.     

Numerical simulation of vortex roll development during a cold air outbreak

Cold air outbreaks can be identified by the formation of cloud streets downwind from a land-sea boundary, as can be seen in numerous satellite pictures. These cloud streets are caused by horizontal roll vortices which in turn are due to dynamic and convective instability of the planetary boundary layer over sea. The development of these roll vortices is simulated with a numerical model and compared to observations obtained over the Bering Sea. Vertical heat transport is found to be due to turbulent diffusion in the initial stage of a cold air outbreak before organized roll vortices contribute to the heat flux in the higher levels of the boundary layer. The influence of a capping inversion on the dynamic and convective instability is also elucidated.     

Numerical experiments on internal gravity waves in an accelerating shear flow

The influence of an accelerating shear flow on the propagation of an internal gravity wave in a continuously stratified fluid is studied by means of two-dimensional numerical simulations. These are motivated by earlier laboratory experiments [Thorpe, S.A. 1978b. On internal gravity waves in an accelerating shear flow, Vol. 88. J. Fluid Mech. pp. 623–639]. In these experiments the mean flow is an accelerated Couette flow and the mean density profile is linear. The laboratory experiments revealed the striking effect of the unsteady shear flow in the evolution of an internal gravity wave leading to the wave focusing in a region where the flow is extremum. This phenomenon is associated with the growth of small scale density fluctuations. As a result density overturns are sometimes observed. This behaviour is well reproduced by the numerical simulations. We provide insights on the flow dynamics in particular on the possible occurrence of wavebreaking. We show that the dynamics is characterized by two competitive mechanisms that is a damping of the wave and a local enhancement of its steepness leading sometimes to density overturns. The budget for the energy of the wave reveals that the initial damping of the wave results from wave-mean flow interactions. These interactions lead to the development of a fine scale vertical density structure which is associated with high vertical shear. We find that in some cases wavebreaking occurs as a result of shear instability. The value of the acceleration of the mean flow is very likely to influence the onset of the instability. The scaling laws of the wave evolution, in particular the rate of decrease of its energy, are determined. From these laws the lifetime of the wave is found as a function of the acceleration of the shear. It may be expected that, in the ocean, this development will result in the largest fluctuations derived from wave-flow interactions occurring where the mean flow in the wave direction is greatest. Waves travelling normal to a two-dimensional shear flow will be unchanged. Waves travelling parallel will be damped. This may have particular application at the continental shelf where flow, mainly parallel to the isobaths, will damp waves travelling along-slope, but allows waves travelling normal to the isobaths (e.g., directly across the shelf-break) to be transmitted without attenuation. Similar effects are expected for the evolution of a high frequency wave interacting with a lower frequency (e.g., near inertial) motion.     

Numerical simulation of three-dimensional unsteady viscous flow past fixed hexagonal ice crystals in the air — preliminary results

The flow fields of hexagonal ice plates and broad-branch ice crystals fallingin the air with Reynolds numbers from 20 to 140 were investigated by numerical simulations. The three-dimensional incompressible, unsteady Navier-Stokes equations for flow past fixed targets were solved by a second-order QUICK numerical scheme. Several velocity fields are displayed. It is shown that unsteady flow can be modeled by adding an artificial disturbance at a certain point. Computations showed that thin oblate spheroids are good approximations to hexagonal plates of the same size in the drag calculation whereas the broad-branch crystals are significantly different. Empirical formulas for drag coefficients were developed for cloud physical calculations.     

Numerical simulation of storm waves near the northeastern coast of the Black Sea

The results ofnumerical simulation of storm waves near the northeastern coast ofthe Black Sea using different wind forcing (CFSR reanalysis, GFS forecast, and WRF reanalysis and forecast) are presented. The wave modeling is based on the SWAN spectral wave model and the high-resolution unstructured grid for the Tsemes Bay. The quality estimates of wave simulation results for various wind forcing are provided by comparing the model results with the instrumental data on wind waves in the Tsemes Bay. It is shown that the forecast of the maximum wave height for some storms using the WRF wind forcing is more accurate than that based on the GFS forcing.     

Numerical simulation of the probability distribution function of precipitation over Morocco

A variable resolution version of the global GCM ARPEGE is constructed, so that Morocco has maximum resolution. A 30-year simulation, driven by observed sea surface temperature 1971–2000, is carried out. This paper examines the precipitation over northern Morocco during the extended winter season (from October to March), comparing model simulations with daily values at 14 stations. An approach utilising weather regimes has been adopted. The model is successful in representing the frequency and the interannual variability of the regimes. The precipitation over Morocco differs from one regime to another, but the model is not enough rainy along the Atlantic coast in general. The model is too persistent with too long dry spells, but is able to produce heavy rainfall as well as long dry periods in the centre of the area.     

Numerical simulation of severe convective phenomena over Croatian and Hungarian territory

Squall lines and supercells cause severe weather and huge damages in the territory of Croatia and Hungary. These long living events can be recognised by radar very well, but the problem of early warning, especially successful numerical forecast of these phenomena, has not yet been solved in this region. Two case studies are presented here in which dynamical modelling approach gives promising results: a squall line preceding a cold front and a single supercell generated because of a prefrontal instability. The numerical simulation is performed using the PSU/NCAR meso-scale model MM5, with horizontal resolution of 3 km. Lateral boundary conditions are taken from the ECMWF model. The moist processes are resolved by Reisner mixed-phase explicit moisture scheme and for the radiation scheme a rapid radiative transfer model is applied. The analysis nudging technique is applied for the first two hours of the model run. The results of the simulation are very promising. The MM5 model reconstructed the appearance of the convective phenomena and showed the development of thunderstorm into the supercell phase. The model results give very detailed insight into wind changes showing the rotation of supercells, clearly distinguish warm core of the cell and give rather good precipitation estimate. The successful simulation of convective phenomena by a high-resolution MM5 model showed that even smaller scale conditions are contained in synoptic scale patterns, represented in this case by the ECMWF model.     

副热带高压中心区域内云和降水气候特征研究回顾与展望

夹卷混合过程表征了云和环境空气之间的相互作用,是云物理和动力过程中不确定性最大的过程之一。它影响着暖云降水形成过程,气溶胶间接效应的强度,云-气候之间的反馈等。本文总结了夹卷混合机制的含义和分类,云降水物理和光学性质的重要性,以及夹卷混合过程的定量描述和参数化。在此基础上,指出了夹卷混合过程研究的难点和未来的研究方向。

     

Boundary-layer observations over water and arctic sea-ice during on-ice air flow

Observations made on 8 and 9 May 1988 by aircraft and two ships in and around the marginal ice zone of the Fram Strait during on-ice air flow under cloudy and cloud-free conditions are presented.The thermodynamic modification of the air mass moving from the open water to the ice over horizontal distances of 100–300 km is only a few tenth of a degree for temperature and a few tenth of a gram per kilogram for specific humidity. This is due to the small temperature differences between sea and ice surfaces. During the day, the ice surface is even warmer than the sea surface. The stably stratified 200–400 m deep boundary layer is often topped by a moisture inversion leading to downward fluxes of sensible as well as latent heat.The radiation and energy balance at the surface are measured as functions of ice cover, cloud cover and sun elevation angle. The net radiationR _Nis the dominating term of the energy budget. During the day, the difference ofR _Nbetween clear and overcast sky is only a few W/m² over ice, but 100–200 W/m² over water. During the night,R _Nover ice is more sensitive to cloud cover.The kinematic structure is characterized by strong shears of the longitudinal and the transversal wind component. The profile of the latter one shows an inflection point near the top of the boundary layer. Dynamically-driven roll circulations are numerically separated from the mean flow. The secondary flow patterns have wavelengths of about 1 km and contribute substantially to the total variances and covariances.     

Numerical simulation of nocturnal drainage flow properties in a rugged canyon

A two-dimensional, time-dependent flow model coupled with a radiative transfer module has been applied to examine the characteristics of nocturnal flow in a steep canyon in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The effect of nighttime surface cooling on drainage flow is examined and compared with observations. In a complementary study, tracer data have been analyzed to estimate the mass flux from a tributary canyon and to examine processes of transport and diffusion. Simulations indicate that the strength and structure of the drainage wind are controlled mainly by terrain features, ambient wind conditions, and effective radiative cooling rates. The transport of tracer from a lower secondary vortex to an upper primary vortex is largely controlled by diffusional processes; removal of tracer from the canyon is controlled by the primary vortex and its interaction with the ambient wind. Differences between mass fluxes from model simulations and those calculated from experiments involve uncertainties in both the structure of the model and the analysis of data.     

MODIS反照率产品在模拟北京气温中的应用

地表反照率是制约地表能量收支平衡的基本因子,其变化会影响气温和降水等气象要素,进而影响区域乃至全球的气候。文中使用WRF模式,设计两组反照率敏感试验,探讨地表反照率参数对近地面2处气温模拟精度的影响。结果表明:(1)当北京地区地表反照率增大(减小)0.05时,气温相应降低(升高)0.1～0.5 K,气温变化从城区到郊区有一个明显的降幅,感热通量和潜热通量也相应减小(增大),且变幅主要为0～13 W/m2;(2)将控制试验和MODIS反照率敏感试验模拟结果与实况对比分析发现,两种试验的模拟结果偏低,但应用卫星反照率产品后,气温升高约0.2～0.7 K,更接近实际,即应用MODIS反照率产品替换WRF模式中原有反照率能进一步提高气温的模拟精度。