NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENCES IN DIFFUSION BETWEEN p－SURFACE AND σ－SURFACE

Abstract:

Dimensional analysis and reduction are done to two existing schemes of 4th-order linear horizontal diffusion, and detailed control experiments between them are made using a topographyincluded mesoscale model. Horizontal diffusion is calculated on the or surface in one (known as Scheme A afterwards ), and on the p-surface in another (Scheme B). Experiments show that differences are small in smooth-terrain areas and very large in steep mountain areas, with the 24h rainfall prediction deviating by 50 mm between forecasts of the two sChemes. The reason may be that temperature and humidity are falsely diffused in Scheme A, which causes abnormal temperature and humidity, and results in the anomalies of the unstable layer and convective processes. In addition, Scheme A could also bring about circulation anomalies which assumingly have direct link to the convective anomalies in the scheme. Furthermore, perturbation may also affect surrounding areas by wave-like propagation such that precipitation anomalies may occur in the area. The analysis indicate that Scheme B is necessary and feasible for it minimizes diffusion-involved forecast abnormality in steep mountains and areas around.