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This study investigates the bias in wind speeds predicted by the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), particularly its tendency to overpredict winds, especially in light conditions. It identifies two main issues: insufficient contrast between land and water winds and the general overestimation of geostrophic winds over land. The research introduces a new approach to parameterizing surface drag based on subgrid terrain variance, enhancing the YSU boundary layer scheme. Results from multiple experiments show improved performance, especially in winter, while outlining areas for further refinement.
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Fixing WRF’s High Speed Wind Bias: A New Subgrid Scale Drag Parameterization and the Role of Detailed Verification Cliff Mass and Dave Ovens University of Washington
Problems with WRF winds • WRF generally has a substantial overprediction bias for all but the lightest winds. • Not enough light winds. • Winds are generally too geostrophic over land. • Not enough contrast between winds over land and water. • This problem is evident virtually everywhere and appears to occur in all PBL schemes available with WRF.
So What is the Problem? • As noted earlier, tried all available WRF PBL schemes…no magic bullet there. We are using the YSU scheme in most work. • Doesn’t improve going from 36 to 12 km resolution, 1.3 km somewhat better. • Inherent problem with all PBL schemes? • What about the roughness of subgrid terrain that we are not resolving?
A new drag surface drag parameterization • Determine the subgrid terrain variance and make surface drag or roughness used in model dependent on it. • Consulting with Jimy Dudhia of NCAR came up with an approach—enhancing u* and only in the boundary layer scheme (YSU). • For our 12-km and 36-km runs used the variance of 1-km grid spacing terrain.
38 Different Experiments: Multi-month evaluation winter and summer
Some Results for Experiment “71” • Ran the modeling system over a five-week test period (Jan 1- Feb 8, 2010)
Old New
An Issue • Our method appears to hurt slightly during strong wind speeds and near maximum temperatures in summer.
Improvement? • Next step—could have the parameterizaton fade out for higher winds speeds and lower stability, possibility by depending on Richardson number. • Actually, this makes some sense…sometimes the atmosphere is well-mixed, and at these times variations in sub-grid roughness would be less important.