Abstract
Abstract. Atmospheric dynamical cores are a fundamental component of global atmospheric modeling systems and are responsible for capturing the dynamical behavior of the Earth's atmosphere via numerical integration of the Navier–Stokes equations. These systems have existed in one form or another for over half of a century, with the earliest discretizations having now evolved into a complex ecosystem of algorithms and computational strategies. In essence, no two dynamical cores are alike, and their individual successes suggest that no perfect model exists. To better understand modern dynamical cores, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of 11 non-hydrostatic dynamical cores, drawn from modeling centers and groups that participated in the 2016 Dynamical Core Model Intercomparison Project (DCMIP) workshop and summer school. This review includes a choice of model grid, variable placement, vertical coordinate, prognostic equations, temporal discretization, and the diffusion, stabilization, filters, and fixers employed by each system.
Highlights
The Dynamical Core Model Intercomparison Project (DCMIP) is an ongoing effort targeting the intercomparison of a fundamental component of global atmospheric modeling systems: the dynamical core
This paper represents the first in a series of papers documenting the results from the 2016 Dynamical Core Model Intercomparison Project workshop and summer school
The models discussed in this paper only represent a sample of the many dynamical cores that have been developed for general circulation modeling
Summary
The Dynamical Core Model Intercomparison Project (DCMIP) is an ongoing effort targeting the intercomparison of a fundamental component of global atmospheric modeling systems: the dynamical core This component’s role is to solve the equations of fluid motion governing atmospheric dynamics (the Navier–Stokes equations), there are numerous confounding factors and compromises that arise from making global simulations computationally feasible. These factors include the choice of model grid, variable placement, vertical coordinate, prognostic equations, representation of topography, numerical method, temporal discretization, physics–dynamics coupling frequency, and the manner in which artificial diffusion, stabilization, filters, and/or energy/mass fixers are applied. Appendix A provides a comprehensive overview of the various forms the Navier–Stokes equations take in dynamical cores, and has been included as a resource for dynamical core developers
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