Abstract
Abstract. This paper introduces a surface model with two soil-layers for use in a high-resolution circulation model that has been modified with an extrapolated surface temperature, to be used for the calculation of turbulent fluxes. A quadratic temperature profile based on the layer mean and base temperature is assumed in each layer and extended to the surface. The model is tested at two sites on the Tibetan Plateau near Nam Co Lake during four days during the 2009 Monsoon season. In comparison to a two-layer model without explicit surface temperature estimate, there is a greatly reduced delay in diurnal flux cycles and the modelled surface temperature is much closer to observations. Comparison with a SVAT model and eddy covariance measurements shows an overall reasonable model performance based on RMSD and cross correlation comparisons between the modified and original model. A potential limitation of the model is the need for careful initialisation of the initial soil temperature profile, that requires field measurements. We show that the modified model is capable of reproducing fluxes of similar magnitudes and dynamics when compared to more complex methods chosen as a reference.
Highlights
Turbulent fluxes of momentum, latent heat (QE) and sensible heat (QH) are some of the most important interactions between land surface and atmosphere
Our research focuses on surface-atmosphere interactions on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in the Nam Co Lake region
The following section presents and discusses the improvements that are achieved for a simple two-layer model when a new algorithm for the surface temperature was implemented
Summary
Latent heat (QE) and sensible heat (QH) are some of the most important interactions between land surface and atmosphere. These fluxes are responsible for the development or modification of mesoscale circulations and the generation of clouds feed back on surface fluxes through the modification of solar radiation. Shallow cumulus-surface interactions were shown in an LES (large eddy simulation) study to impact surface temperature and fluxes on very short time scales (Lohou and Patton, 2011). It is necessary to use: (1) atmospheric models with sufficiently high resolution (O(100 m)) to resolve boundary layer processes as well as clouds and (2) surface models capable of reproducing the system’s surface flux dynamics.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
