Fog simulation using a mesoscale model in and around the Yodo River Basin,Japan

In this study,fog simulations were conducted using the Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model (MM5) in and around the Yodo River Basin,Japan.The purpose is to investigate the MM5 performance of fog simulation for long-term periods.The simulations were performed for January,February,March,and July,2005 with a coarse 3-kin and a nested fine 1-km grid domains. Results of the simulations were compared with data from ten meteorological observatories,fog sampling site in Mt.Rokko,and visibility measurem...

A Simulating Study on Resolvable-Scale Microphysical Parameterization in a Mesoscale Model

The Penn State/ NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) is used to simulate the precipitation event that occurred during 1–2 May 1994 to the south of the Yangtze River. In five experiments the Kain–Fritsch scheme is made use of for the subgrid–scale convective precipitation, but five different resolvable–scale microphysical parameterization schemes are employed. They are the simple super-saturation removal scheme, the warm rain scheme of Hsie et al. (1984), the simple ice scheme of Dudhia (1989), the complex mixed–phase scheme developed by Reisner et al. (1993), and the GSFC microphysical scheme with graupel. Our interest is how the various resolvable-scale schemes affect the domain-averaged precipitation, the precipitation distribution, the sea level pressure, the cloud water and the cloud ice. Through a series of experiments about a warm sector rainfall case, results show that although the different resolvable-scale scheme is used, the differences of the precipitation characteristics among all five runs are not very obvious. However, the precipitation is over-predicted and the strong mesoscale low is produced by the simple super-saturation removal scheme. The warm rain scheme with the inclusion of condensation and evaporation under-predicts the precipitation and allows the cloud water to reach the 300 hPa level. The scheme of the addition of graupel increases the resolvable-scale precipitation by about 20%-30%. The inclusion of supercooled liquid water in the grid-scale scheme does not affect significantly the results. Key words Mesoscale model - Precipitation - Resolvable-scale microphysical parameterization

EXPERIMENT ON THE FORECAST OF CHARACTERISTIC QUANTITIES OF ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE BY MESOSCALE MODEL MM5

In nested nonhydrostatic mesoscale model MM5,the characteristic quantities of atmospheric turbulence,i.e.,the standard deviations of the turbulent fluctuated speeds for three directions in PBL are computed by Mellor-Yamada's level 2.5 closure scheme.The magnitudes and the vertical profiles of these quantities computed from the model are closely connected with temperature and wind speed profiles as well as the type of the ground with a significant diurnal variation,and are in agreement with known magnitudes and regularities in different stratification conditions.Hence the method in this paper is reasonable and convincible.Their horizontal distribution depends on the horizontal distribution of the stratification.The method of predicted characteristic quantities of turbulence from mesoscale model in this paper can be used in the problem of atmospheric diffusion and atmospheric environment.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL MESOSCALE MODELING OF METEOROLOGICAL FIELDS OVER ZHUJIANG(PEARL)RIVER DELTA

The CSU-RAMS-2A was used to simulate the meteorological fields over the Zhujiang River Delta in South China. Initialized from a horizontally homogeneous atmosphere,real topography and inhomogeneous surface boundary condi- tions,the model was run with thermal and terrain forcing.The modeling results of winter and summer cases are com- pared with those observed.The similarity of the predicted distributions of winds,temperatures and humidities to the ob- served patterns permits us to conclude that the mesoscale distribution of meteorological elements for the two study dates is the result of the thermal and dynamical forcing by the underlying surface and topography.

A NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF MOIST PROCESSES UPON THE STRUCTURE OF ACTIVE COLD FRONTS:APPLICATION OF A 3D MESOSCALE MODEL IN FRONTAL SITUATIONS

A 3D mesoscale model is applied in a marine cold front case in order to investigate the impact of latent heating on the structure of cold fronts.Results of the moist and dry simulations are compared to stress the effects of moist processes.It is found that both the temperature gradient and the cyclonic vorticity across the frontal zone considerably increase due to the latent heating,especially in the lower troposphere.A thermally direct cross-front ageostrophic circulation.forced by frontogenesis,is found better developed and organized in the moist case than in the dry case.This cross-front direct ageostrophic circulation,particularly its ascending branch,is considerably enhanced by latent heating due to increased frontogenetical forcing and reduced effective static stability in the rising motion region where condensation occurs.One important feature in most observed cold fronts is the presence of an intense rising cell just above their leading edge.This intense rising cell is well simulated in the moist case but is less clear and much weaker in the dry case,indicating the important contribution by the la- tent heat release to the formation of this intense updraft above the surface cold front.

Mesoscale meteorological modelling for Hong Kong-application of the MC2 model

This paper describes the set up and application of a non hydrostatic Canadian meteorological numerical model (MC2) for mesoscale simulations of wind field and other meteorological parameters over the complex terrain of Hong Kong. Results of the simulations of one case are presented and compared with the results of radiosonde and aircraft measurements. The model is proved capable of predicting high resolution, three dimensional fields of wind and other meteorological parameters within the Hong Kong territory, using reasonable computer time and memory resources.

A three-dimensional ocean general circulation model for mesoscale eddies——Ⅱ Diagnostic analysis

A three-dimensional density field associated with mesoscaie unstable waves generated by the 3-D, primitive-equation model (Wang and Ikeda, 1996) is provided to the quasi-geostrophic pressure tendency and ω-equations, and to the (ageostrophic) Q-vector equation. Diagnostic analyses, analogous to the approaches in meteorology: ω-equation and Q-vector method, are for the first time developed to examine the mesoscaie dynamical processes and mechanisms of the unstable waves propagating in the mid-latitude ocean. The weaknesses and strengths of these two diagnostic approaches are evaluated and compared to the model results. The Q-vector method is then recommended to diagnose the vertical motion associated with the mesoscaie dynamics from a hydrographic CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) array, while the quasi-geostrophic equations produce some small-scale features (errors) in the diagnosed fields.

Seasonal Prediction of Indian Summer Monsoon Using WRF: A Dynamical Downscaling Perspective

Seasonal forecasting of the Indian summer monsoon by dynamically downscaling the CFSv2 output using a high resolution WRF model over the hindcast period of 1982-2008 has been performed in this study. The April start ensemble mean of the CFSv2 has been used to provide the initial and lateral boundary conditions for driving the WRF. The WRF model is integrated from 1st May through 1st October for each monsoon season. The analysis suggests that the WRF exhibits potential skill in improving the rainfall skill as well as the seasonal pattern and minimizes the meteorological errors as compared to the parent CFSv2 model. The rainfall pattern is simulated quite closer to the observation (IMD) in the WRF model over CFSv2 especially over the significant rainfall regions of India such as the Western Ghats and the central India. Probability distributions of the rainfall show that the rainfall is improved with the WRF. However, the WRF simulates copious amounts of rainfall over the eastern coast of India. Surface and upper air meteorological parameters show that the WRF model improves the simulation of the lower level and upper-level winds, MSLP, CAPE and PBL height. The specific humidity profiles show substantial improvement along the vertical column of the atmosphere which can be directly related to the net precipitable water. The CFSv2 underestimates the specific humidity along the vertical which is corrected by the WRF model. Over the Bay of Bengal, the WRF model overestimates the CAPE and specific humidity which may be attributed to the copious amount of rainfall along the eastern coast of India. Residual heating profiles also show that the WRF improves the thermodynamics of the atmosphere over 700 hPa and 400 hPa levels which helps in improving the rainfall simulation. Improvement in the land surface fluxes is also witnessed in the WRF model.

Mesoscopic Modeling Approach and Application for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete under Dynamic Loading:A Review

Steel fiber reinforced concrete(SFRC)has drawn extensive attention in recent years for its superior mechanical response to dynamic and impact loadings.Based on the existing test results,the highstrength steel fibers embedded in a concrete matrix usually play a strong bridging effect to enhance the bonding force between fiber and the matrix,and directly contribute to the improvement of the post-cracking behavior and residual strength of SFRC.To gain a better understanding of the action behavior of steel fibers in matrix and further capture the failure mechanism of SFRC under dynamic loads,the mesoscopic modeling approach that assumes SFRC to be composed of different mesoscale phases(i.e.,steel fibers,coarse aggregates,mortar matrix,and interfacial transition zone(ITZ))has been widely employed to simulate the dynamic responses of SFRC material and structural members.This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art mesoscopic models and simulations for SFRC under dynamic loading.Generation approaches for the SFRC mesoscale model in the simulation works,including steel fiber,coarse aggregate,and the ITZ between them,are reviewed and compared systematically.The material models for different phases and the interaction relationship between fiber and concrete matrix are summarized comprehensively.Additionally,some example applications for SFRC under dynamic loads(i.e.,compression,tension,and contact blast)simulated using the general mesoscale models are given.Finally,some critical analysis on the current shortcomings of the mesoscale modeling of SFRC is highlighted,which is of great significance for the future investigation and development of SFRC.

An evaporation duct prediction model coupled with the MM5

Evaporation duct is an abnormal refractive phenomenon in the marine atmosphere boundary layer. It has been generally accepted that the evaporation duct prominently affects the performance of the electronic equipment over the sea because of its wide distribution and frequent occurrence. It has become a research focus of the navies all over the world. At present, the diagnostic models of the evaporation duct are all based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, with only differences in the flux and character scale calculations in the surface layer. These models are applicable to the stationary and uniform open sea areas without considering the alongshore effect. This paper introduces the nonlinear factor a and the gust wind item wg into the Babin model, and thus extends the evaporation duct diagnostic model to the offshore area under extremely low wind speed. In addition, an evaporation duct prediction model is designed and coupled with the fifth generation mesoscale model （MMS）. The tower observational data and radar data at the Pingtan island of Fujian Province on May 25-26, 2002 were used to validate the forecast results. The outputs of the prediction model agree with the observations from 0 to 48 h. The relative error of the predicted evaporation duct height is 19.3% and the prediction results are consistent with the radar detection.

Evaluation of Heavy Rainfall Model Forecasts over the Korean Peninsula Using Different Physical Parameterization Schemes and Horizontal Resolution

In this study, the accuracy of a Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model （PSU/NCAR MM5） for predicting heavy summer precipitation over the Korean Peninsula was investigated. A total of 1800 simulations were performed using this model for 30 heavy rainfall events employing four cumulus parameterization schemes （CPS）, two grid-scale resolvable precipitation schemes （GRS）, and two planetary boundary layer （PBL） schemes in three model resolutions （90 km, 30 km, and 10 km）. The heavy rainfall events were mesoscale convective systems developed under the influence of mid-latitude baroclinic systems with low-level moisture transport from the ocean. The predictive accuracy for maximum rainfall was approximately 80% for 10-km resolution and was 60% for 30-km resolution. The predictive accuracy for rainfall position extended to ～150 km from the observed position for both resolutions. Simulated rainfall was most sensitive to CPS, then to PBL schemes, and then to GRS. In general, the Grell （GR） scheme and the Anthes and Kuo （AK） scheme showed a better prediction capability for heavy rainfall than did the Betts-Miller （BM） scheme and the Kain-Fritsch （KF） scheme. The GR scheme also performed well in the 24-h and 12-h precipitation predictions： the parameterized convective rainfall in GR is directly related to synoptic-scale forcing. The models without CPS performed better for rainfall amounts but worse for rainfall position than those with CPS. The MM5 model demonstrated substantial predictive capacity using synoptic-scale initial conditions and lateral boundary data because heavy summer rainfall in Korea occurs in a strong synoptic-scale environment.

The Effect of Mesoscale Flows on Regional Atmospheric Transport in a Complex Terrain

Model results simulated over a complex terrain under a synoptically calm condition, using a three-dimensional (3-D) regional-scale meteorological acid deposition model (RMADM), show that thermally induced mesoscale circulations (MCs): sea-and land-breeze circulations and up- and down-slope flow circulations play a fundamental role in determining how the pollutants being dispersed . Analysis showed that under synoptically calm condition, the role played by the MC would dilute the smoke released during the early stage of the emission; the accumulation, however, would become important if the synoptically calm condition lasts long. Since the structure and intensity of the MCs depend on geography and topographical allocation, land surface coverage, incoming solar radiation intensity and so on, it makes the estimates of source-reception relationship and long-range atmospheric dispersion more difficulty. It concluded that it is impossible for a pollution model to correctly simulate smokes transport using only the synoptic station data, since the mesoscale information can not be resolved from these datasets.

Simulation of Quasi-Linear Mesoscale Convective Systems in Northern China：Lightning Activities and Storm Structure

Two intense quasi-linear mesoscale convective systems（QLMCSs） in northern China were simulated using the WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting） model and the 3D-Var（three-dimensional variational） analysis system of the ARPS（Advanced Regional Prediction System） model.A new method in which the lightning density is calculated using both the precipitation and non-precipitation ice mass was developed to reveal the relationship between the lightning activities and QLMCS structures.Results indicate that,compared with calculating the results using two previous methods,the lightning density calculated using the new method presented in this study is in better accordance with observations.Based on the calculated lightning densities using the new method,it was found that most lightning activity was initiated on the right side and at the front of the QLMCSs,where the surface wind field converged intensely.The CAPE was much stronger ahead of the southeastward progressing QLMCS than to the back it,and their lightning events mainly occurred in regions with a large gradient of CAPE.Comparisons between lightning and non-lightning regions indicated that lightning regions featured more intense ascending motion than non-lightning regions;the vertical ranges of maximum reflectivity between lightning and non-lightning regions were very different;and the ice mixing ratio featured no significant differences between the lightning and non-lightning regions.

Mesoscale oceanic eddies in the South China Sea from 1992 to 2012:evolution processes and statistical analysis

Automated identification and tracking of mesoscale ocean eddies has recently become one research hotspot in physical oceanography. Several methods have been developed and applied to survey the general kinetic and geometric characteristics of the ocean eddies in the South China Sea（SCS）. However, very few studies attempt to examine eddies＇ internal evolution processes. In this study, we reported a hybrid method to trace eddies＇ propagation in the SCS based on their internal structures, which are characterized by eddy centers, footprint borders, and composite borders. Eddy identification and tracking results were represented by a GIS-based spatiotemporal model. Information on instant states, dynamic evolution processes, and events of disappearance, reappearance, split, and mergence is stored in a GIS database. Results were validated by comparing against the ten Dongsha Cyclonic Eddies（DCEs） and the three long-lived anticyclonic eddies（ACEs） in the northern SCS, which were reported in previous literature. Our study confirmed the development of these eddies. Furthermore, we found more DCE-like and ACE-like eddies in these areas from 2005 to 2012 in our database. Spatial distribution analysis of disappearing, reappearing, splitting, and merging activities shows that eddies in the SCS tend to cluster to the northwest of Luzon Island, southwest of Luzon Strait, and around the marginal sea of Vietnam. Kuroshio intrusions and the complex sea floor topography in these areas are the possible factors that lead to these spatial clusters.

Mesoscale Vegetation-Breeze Circulations and Their Impact on Boundary Layer Structures at Night

The impact of well watered mesoscale wheat over mid-latitude arid areas on mesoscale boundary layer structures (MBLS) and climate has been investigated in the study .using a mesoscale biophysical, meteorological model (BM) developed in the current study. The BM is composed of six modules:mesoscale atmospheric module, soil module, vegetation module, snow-atmosphere interaction module, underlying surface meteorology module and subgrid scale flux parameterization module. The six modules constitute an interacting system by supplying boundary conditions to each other.The investigation indicates that a horizontal pressure gradient associated with mesoscale perturbations in temperature and humidity is created during the day, which results from more water transpired from the vegetation canopy (VC) and evaporated from underlying wet soil. Non-classical mesoscale circulations (called as vegetation-breeze) are forced by the pressure perturbations with wind speeds about 5 m / s, flowing from the VC to the adjacent bare soil in the low boundary layer.Specific attention in the study is given to study the MBLS at night caused by the interactions between these mesoscale vegetation-breezes.The impacts of the VC's scale and atmospheric background thermal stability (ABTS) on these thermally forced mesoscale vegetation-breezes are also investigated.

Study on the mesoscale eddies around the Ryukyu Islands

Results of the Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator（OFES） from January 1977 to December2006 are used to investigate mesoscale eddies near the Ryukyu Islands. The results show that：（1） Larger eddies are mainly east of Taiwan, above the Ryukyu Trench and south of the Shikoku Island. These three sea areas are all in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Current.（2） Eddies in the area of the Ryukyu Current are mainly anticyclonic, and conducive to that current. The transport of water east of the Ryukyu Islands is mainly toward the northeast.（3）The Ryukyu Current is significantly affected by the eddies. The lower the latitude, the greater these effects.However, the Kuroshio is relatively stable, and the effect of mesoscale eddies is not significant.（4） A warm eddy south of the Shikoku Island break away from the Kuroshio and move southwest, and is clearly affected by the Ryukyu Current and Kuroshio. Relationships between the mesoscale eddies, Kuroshio meanders, and Ryukyu Current are discussed.

Multiscale Theories and Applications:From Microstructure Design to Macroscopic Assessment for Carbon Nanotubes Networks

Carbon nanotube(CNT)networks enable CNTs to be used as building blocks for synthesizing novel advanced materials,thus taking full advantage of the superior properties of individual CNTs.Multiscale analyses have to be adopted to study the load transfer mechanisms of CNT networks from the atomic scale to the macroscopic scale due to the huge computational cost.Among them,fully resolved structural features include the graphitic honeycomb lattice(atomic),inter-tube stacking(nano)and assembly(meso)of CNTs.On an atomic scale,the elastic properties,ultimate stresses,and failure strains of individual CNTs with distinct chiralities and radii are obtained under various loading conditions by molecular mechanics.The dependence of the cohesive energies on spacing distances,crossing angles,size and edge effects between two CNTs is analyzed through continuum modeling in nanoscale.The mesoscale models,which neglect the atomic structures of individual CNTs but retain geometrical information about the shape of CNTs and their assembly into a network,have been developed to study the multi-level mechanism of material deformation and microstructural evolution in CNT networks under stretching,from elastic elongation,strengthening to damage and failure.This paper summarizes the multiscale theories mentioned above,which should provide insight into the optimal assembling of CNT network materials for elevated mechanical performance.

Cross-Tropopause Mass Exchange Associated with a Tropopause Fold Event over the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau

A springtime tropopause fold event, found to be related to a cold trough intrusion from the north, was detected in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau （TP） based on various observations. A nested high-resolution mesoscale model was employed to investigate the effect of orography on the stratosphere-troposphere exchange. The model was found to be able to capture plausible tropopause fold properties. The propagation of the tropopause fold changed significantly when the terrain height in the model was altered. However, decreasing the terrain height had no significant effect on the morphology of folds. When a fold passed over an elevated surface, a leeside jet stream and a layer of humid air in the middle troposphere tended to develop. This strong leeside descent of air masses and high mid-level potential instability （PI） could give rise to deep upward motions in the leeside and inject tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere. Besides, when the flow encounters an elevated surface, forced lifting together with mid-level PI can trigger deep convective motions on the windward slope. The troposphere to stratosphere transport was found to be persistent and almost stationary over the windward slope of the TP during the evolution of the fold.

Comparison between MM5 simulations and satellite measurements during Typhoon Chanchu (2006) in the South China Sea

The fifth Pennsylvania State University and National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model （MM5） is utilized to study the precipitation and wind speed during Typhoon Chanchu （2006）. Five model experiments with different physical parameterizations and sea surface temperature （SST） distributions are carried out. It is found that the control experiment configured with the Blakadar boundary scheme, Resiner2 moisture, the Betts-Miller cumulus scheme and daily updated SST has the most reasonable precipitation. The MRF boundary scheme tends to simulate a dryer boundary layer and stronger verticM mixing, which can greatly reduce the intensity of tropical cyclone （TC）, resulting in a smaller maximum wind speed but larger range of medium wind speed （25 30 m/s）. Constant SST through the TC cycle provides more energy from ocean surface, which could cause a significant increase in TC＇s intensity, thus resulting in the largest overestimation on rainfall and maximum wind speed. Longitudinally-uniform SST distribution before the rapid intensification could reduce TC＇s intensity and heat fluxes, which can partially compensate for the overestimation of precipitation in the control experiment.

Estimation of Turbulent Sensible Heat and Momentum Fluxes over a Heterogeneous Urban Area Using a Large Aperture Scintillometer

The accurate determination of surface-layer turbulent fluxes over urban areas is critical to understanding urban boundary layer （UBL） evolution. In this study, a remote-sensing technique using a large aperture scintillometer （LAS） was investigated to estimate surface-layer turbulent fluxes over a highly heterogeneous urban area. The LAS system, with an optical path length of 2.1 km, was deployed in an urban area characterized by a complicated land-use mix （residential houses, water body, bare ground, etc.）. The turbulent sensible heat （QH） and momentum fluxes （z） were estimated from the scintillation measurements obtained from the LAS system during the cold season. Three-dimensional LAS footprint modeling was introduced to identify the source areas （＂footprint＂） of the estimated turbulent fluxes. The analysis results showed that the LAS-derived turbulent fluxes for the highly heterogeneous urban area revealed reasonable temporal variation during daytime on clear days, in comparison to the land-surface process-resolving numerical modeling. A series of sensitivity tests indicated that the overall uncertainty in the LAS-derived daytime QH was within 20%-30% in terms of the influence of input parameters and the non- dimensional similarity function for the temperature structure function parameter, while the estimation errors in z were less sensitive to the factors of influence, except aerodynamic roughness length. The 3D LAS footprint modeling characterized the source areas of the LAS-derived turbulent fluxes in the heterogeneous urban area, revealing that the representative spatial scales of the LAS system deployed with the 2.1 km optical path distance ranged from 0.2 to 2 km2 （a ＂micro-a scale＂）, depending on local meteorological conditions.