Abstract
Simulations with four land surface models (LSMs) (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP, Noah-MP with ground water GW option, and CLM4) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 12 km horizontal grid resolution were carried out as two sets for 3 months (December–February 2011/2012 and July–September 2012) over West Africa. The objective is to assess the performance of WRF LSMs in simulating meteorological parameters over West Africa. The model precipitation was assessed against TRMM while surface temperature was compared with the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset. Results show that the LSMs performed differently for different variables in different land-surface conditions. Based on precipitation and temperature, Noah-MP GW is overall the best for all the variables and seasons in combination, while Noah came last. Specifically, Noah-MP GW performed best for JAS temperature and precipitation; CLM4 was the best in simulating DJF precipitation, while Noah was the best in simulating DJF temperature. Noah-MP GW has the wettest Sahel while Noah has the driest one. The strength of the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) is strongest in Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP compared with that in CLM4 and Noah. The core of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) lies around 12°N in Noah and 15°N for Noah-MP GW. Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP simulations have stronger influx of moisture advection from the southwesterly monsoonal wind than the CLM4 and Noah with Noah showing the least influx. Also, analysis of the evaporative fraction shows sharp gradient for Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP with wetter Sahel further to the north and further to the south for Noah. Noah-MP-GW has the highest amount of soil moisture, while the CLM4 has the least for both the JAS and DJF seasons. The CLM4 has the highest LH for both DJF and JAS seasons but however has the least SH for both DJF and JAS seasons. The principal difference between the LSMs is in the vegetation representation, description, and parameterization of the soil water column; hence, improvement is recommended in this regard.
Highlights
Simulations with four land surface models (LSMs) (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP, Noah-MP with ground water GW option, and Community Land Model Version 4 (CLM4)) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 12 km horizontal grid resolution were carried out as two sets for 3 months (December–February 2011/2012 and July–September 2012) over West Africa. e objective is to assess the performance of WRF LSMs in simulating meteorological parameters over West Africa. e model precipitation was assessed against TRMM while surface temperature was compared with the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset
Despite the significant influence of land-atmosphere exchange on the daytime planetary boundary layer (PBL), uncertainty remains in the parameterization of surface heat and moisture fluxes in numerical weather models [4]. e land surface model (LSM) provides heat and moisture fluxes over land to provide a lower boundary condition for vertical transport in the PBL scheme. ese fluxes of sensible heat and latent energy are dependent on the surface meteorology, radiative forcing, soil properties, and land use type. us, an accurate description of the land surface and vegetation characteristics is needed in any numerical weather prediction model [5]. e surface energy exchange is determined by the terrestrial radiation budget, as shown in the following equation: Rnet SH + LH + G, (1)
Each simulation is a 3month run from December to February (DJF) 2011/2012 dry season and July to September (JAS) 2012 rainy season over West Africa with four different LSMs. is makes it 4 different simulations for each season (i.e., 4 separate simulations for DJF and JAS season amounting to 8 simulations in all). e periods were chosen to study the impact of choice of land surface model over different land surface conditions that would affect the surface energy budget
Summary
Simulations with four land surface models (LSMs) (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP, Noah-MP with ground water GW option, and CLM4) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 12 km horizontal grid resolution were carried out as two sets for 3 months (December–February 2011/2012 and July–September 2012) over West Africa. e objective is to assess the performance of WRF LSMs in simulating meteorological parameters over West Africa. e model precipitation was assessed against TRMM while surface temperature was compared with the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset. Simulations with four land surface models (LSMs) (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP, Noah-MP with ground water GW option, and CLM4) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 12 km horizontal grid resolution were carried out as two sets for 3 months (December–February 2011/2012 and July–September 2012) over West Africa. The partitioning of the surface net radiation into sensible and latent heat fluxes determines the soil wetness development. Despite the significant influence of land-atmosphere exchange on the daytime planetary boundary layer (PBL), uncertainty remains in the parameterization of surface heat and moisture fluxes in numerical weather models [4]. E land surface model (LSM) provides heat and moisture fluxes over land to provide a lower boundary condition for vertical transport in the PBL scheme. Ese fluxes of sensible heat and latent energy are dependent on the surface meteorology, radiative forcing, soil properties, and land use type. LH is most often the heat released by water as it changes from a liquid to gaseous state over a plant canopy through evapotranspiration
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