Variable Resolution Dynamical Cores with Full Physics

Abstract : The long-term goal of this project is to maintain the leading edge of the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models by improving the existing US Navy mesoscale atmospheric forecast model, the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS 1) and, at the same time continue developing the next generation model with an ability for prediction across spatial and temporal scales. There are two main objectives, one for each target. First, to continue development of the next generation model, the Spectral Element (SE) model, built on the Element Based Galerkin (EBG) method and evaluate detailed simulations in two-dimensions (2D) and preliminary tests in three dimensions (3D). The primary focus is on adding physical parameterizations, with some effort directed toward the model infrastructure. Second, to improve the current generation version of COAMPS by implementing a recently developed implicit damping in the top sponge layer for stability purposes. The overarching objective is to develop a dynamical core suitable for the unified approach in support of NWP.