tim-gsd 13 june 20061 gsd weather modeling efforts in support of rsa christopher j. anderson...

TIM-GSD 13 June 2006 1

GSD Weather Modeling Efforts in Support of RSA

Christopher J. Anderson

ESRL/GSD/FAB

10-km grid valid 09 UTC 12 Jun 1.1-km grid valid 18 UTC 11 Jun


Model Overview

• MM5 version 3.5– No cumulus parameterization– Schultz bulk microphysics parameterization– MRF PBL parameterization– RRTM radiation parameterization– Soil temperature model– Triple one-way nest– Source code is customized, and executable

distributed on a single CD.


Model Implementation• Perform 2-hr forecast every hour for LAPS analysis

– 97x97 gridpoints– 10-km gridpoint spacing– Boundary conditions: ETA– Initial conditions: LAPS

• Perform 24-hr forecast every 6 hours (03 - 21 UTC)– Boundary conditions: ETA– Initial conditions: LAPS– Triple grid (each 97x97 gridpoints)

• Forecast length– 10-km: 24-hours– 3.3-km: 12-hours– 1.1-km: 9-hours

• Run time– 10-km: 1 hr 42 min– 3.3-km: 1 hr 34 min– 1.1-km: 1 hr 26 min


Technical Support October

• Problem– MM5 software failed.– Notified Oct. 6 by April Hawkins.

• Response– Email correspondence with April Hawkins

to diagnose run-time errors.


Technical Support October

• Actions (6-11 October)– Confirmed the shared directories and

communications were active.– Confirmed the MM5 exectuble was

invoked.

• Resolution (21 October)– /var had filled, inhibiting proper

communication among compute nodes.


Technical Support November/December

• Problem– MM5 software failed to execute after OS

upgrade.

• Response– Email correspondence with April Hawkins

and Steve Cunningham to diagnose run-time errors.

– On-site visit to Vandenberg AFB.


Technical Support November/December

• Actions– Confirmed shared directories and

communication were active.– Examined log files from failed execution.– Two-day on-site visit: traced error to an

incompatible node list syntax

• Resolution (22 December)– Rewrote two scripts so as to be compatible

with latest software for MAUI/TORQUE.


Improvements to RSA MM5 Software

• Lowell upgraded OS at FSL 31 Oct - 3 Nov.– Ugraded MM5 CD to allow “wipe clean” install.

Tested with the MM5test routine, and MM5 2-hr update for LAPS.

• Visited WR to provide patches for software compatibility with new OS.– Corrected node list syntax for compatibility with

MPICH-1.2.6..13b and GM-1.6.5-2.4.21-20.Elsmp-i686.


Improvements to RSA MM5 Software

• Created new boot disk– Boots from a complete reinstall– Incorporates patches made during WR visit and

Lowell’s visit to GSD in 2005 Oct– Considerably streamlines the install process


Why Upgrading to WRF is Recommended

• Faster numerics– Shorter running time– Greater accuracy at high-resolution, especially

clouds and precipitation

• Rapidly becoming industry standard– NCEP is running WRF as of mid-June 2006– NCEP will run 4-km CONUS WRF within the next

couple of years.

• MM5 development is frozen– Support of MM5 has ended.– WRF is effectively the next generation MM5.


Why Upgrading to WRFis Recommended

WRF MM5


WRF v. MM5 ErrorsModel gridpoint compared to rain gauge observationswithin the American River Basin


What Upgrading to WRF can do for RSA• More accurate 1-km forecasts• Shorter cycle between 1-km forecasts

– 1-km forecasts can be provided more frequently, taking advantage of hourly or sub-hourly LAPS.

• Larger, intermediate domain– More detailed information over a larger area– More accurate forecasts beyond 12-hour lead time – Two nests rather than three

• Decreases computing time; improves timeliness of forecasts.

• May use the current 10-km LAPS or create a new LAPS domain

tim-gsd 13 june 20061 gsd weather modeling efforts in support of rsa christopher j. anderson...

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