An intercomparison of large-eddy simulations of the stable boundary layer

authored by

Robert J. Beare, Malcolm K. Macvean, Albert A.M. Holtslag, Joan Cuxart, Igor Esau, Jean Christophe Golaz, Maria A. Jimenez, Marat Khairoutdinov, Branko Kosovic, David Lewellen, Thomas S. Lund, Julie K. Lundquist, Anne McCabe, Arnold F. Moene, Yign Noh, Siegfried Raasch, Peter Sullivan

Abstract

Results are presented from the first intercomparison of large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL), as part of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study initiative. A moderately stable case is used, based on Arctic observations. All models produce successful simulations, in as much as they generate resolved turbulence and reflect many of the results from local scaling theory and observations. Simulations performed at 1-m and 2-m resolution show only small changes in the mean profiles compared to coarser resolutions. Also, sensitivity to subgrid models for individual models highlights their importance in SBL simulation at moderate resolution (6.25 m). Stability functions are derived from the LES using typical mixing lengths used in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate models. The functions have smaller values than those used in NWP. There is also support for the use of K-profile similarity in parametrizations. Thus, the results provide improved understanding and motivate future developments of the parametrization of the SBL.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Meteorology and Climatology

External Organisation(s)

Met Office
Wageningen University and Research
University of the Balearic Islands
University of Bergen (UiB)
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Colorado State University
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
West Virginia University
NorthWest Research Associates, Inc.
Yonsei University
National Center for Atmospheric Research

Type

Article

Journal

Boundary-Layer Meteorology

Volume

118

Pages

247-272

No. of pages

26

ISSN

0006-8314

Publication date

02.2006

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Atmospheric Science

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-004-2820-6 (Access: Open)