Exploring a Multiresolution Approach Using AMIP Simulations

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-14-00729.1
• Publication Date: 2015-04-16T18:51:52Z
• Authors: Koichi Sakaguchi; L. Ruby Leung; Chun Zhao; Qing Yang; Jian Lu; Samson Hagos; Sara A. Rauscher; Li Dong; Todd D. Ringler; Peter H. Lauritzen
• Keywords: Replicate; Atmospheric models

Abstract This study presents a diagnosis of multiresolution approach using the Model for Prediction Across Scales–Atmosphere (MPAS-A) simulating regional climate. Four Atmospheric Intercomparison Project (AMIP) experiments were conducted 1999–2009. In first two experiments, MPAS-A was configured global quasi-uniform grids at 120- and 30-km grid spacing. other variable-resolution (VR) mesh with local refinement 30 km over North America South embedded in domain 120 elsewhere. Precipitation related fields four simulations are examined to determine how well VRs reproduce features simulated by globally high-resolution model refined domain. previous analyses idealized aquaplanet simulations, characteristics simulation moist processes developed only near boundary region. contrast, AMIP VR can across domain, particularly America. finding indicates importance finely resolved lower forcings such as topography surface heterogeneity climate demonstrates ability replicate large-scale moisture transport model. Upscale effects from regions on circulation outside observed, but mainly limited northeastern Asia during warm season. Together, results support computationally efficient physically consistent method modeling