This lesson is focused on how a model forecast and the interpretation of that forecast, is affected by the basic design of the model. Topics include how meteorological variables are represented in grid point and spectral models, fundamental differences between hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic models, horizontal resolution of orographic and free-atmosphere features, vertical coordinate systems and how they affect the vertical resolution of features in the model forecast.
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After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- List at least 2 types of weather features which a hydrostatic model of sufficient resolution is not capable of properly predicting because the phenomena are nonhydrostatic in character
- Describe the difference between how a grid point model and a spectral model represent data
- State the primary source of error present in a limited-domain model but not present in a global model, and describe the time evolution of where in the limited-domain model the error appears
- List 2 advantages and 2 limitations of models which use a sigma vertical coordinate or a hybrid which includes sigma coordinates at the bottom of the mode
- State the minimum size feature a gridpoint model can predict well (how many grid boxes wide)
- State at least two impacts of increasing model horizontal resolution on model topography
- State at least two impacts of increasing model horizontal resolution on the resolution of atmospheric features
- State at least 2 types of forecast errors other than temperature errors which occur in complex terrain when the terrain is not adequately resolved
- Describe how the model prediction of boundary layer evolution can be affected by vertical resolution in an area of complex terrain
model structure, dynamics, grid point and spectral models, hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic models, horizontal resolution, vertical coordinate systems, vertical resolution
2016/07/28 Updated the correct answer on one of the questions.
