Single-Column Model Intercomparison for a Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layer

• Published in: Boundary-layer meteorology Vol. 118; no. 2; pp. 273 - 303
• Main Authors: Cuxart, J., Holtslag, A. A. M., Beare, R. J., Bazile, E., Beljaars, A., Cheng, A., Conangla, L., Ek, M., Freedman, F., Hamdi, R., Kerstein, A., Kitagawa, H., Lenderink, G., Lewellen, D., Mailhot, J., Mauritsen, T., Perov, V., Schayes, G., Steeneveld, G-J., Svensson, G., Taylor, P., Weng, W., Wunsch, S., Xu, K-M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.02.2006
• Subjects: Atmospheric boundary layer; diffusion; dynamics; formulation; large-eddy simulation; Meteorology; parameterization; part i; scheme; surfaces; system; Turbulence; turbulence closure-model; PN, Arctic
• ISSN: 0006-8314; 1573-1472
• DOI: 10.1007/s10546-005-3780-1

The parameterization of the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer is a difficult issue, having a significant impact on medium-range weather forecasts and climate integrations. To pursue this further, a moderately stratified Arctic case is simulated by nineteen single-column turbulence schemes. Statistics from a large-eddy simulation intercomparison made for the same case by eleven different models are used as a guiding reference. The single-column parameterizations include research and operational schemes from major forecast and climate research centres. Results from first-order schemes, a large number of turbulence kinetic energy closures, and other models were used. There is a large spread in the results; in general, the operational schemes mix over a deeper layer than the research schemes, and the turbulence kinetic energy and other higher-order closures give results closer to the statistics obtained from the large-eddy simulations. The sensitivities of the schemes to the parameters of their turbulence closures are partially explored.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]