Improving Model Microphysics
Even with increasing model resolution, there are
still substantial problems with the moist microphysics in
numerical weather prediction models. Typically, there is too
much snow aloft and too little precipitation on the windward
slopes of coastal mountain barriers such as the Olympics.
Currently, my group is working on this problems
using the extraordinary data sets made available from the OLYMPEX
field experiment. Graduate student Robert Conrick is using
the unique observations available during that period, as sell as
traditional observing systems, to carefully evaluate the moist
microphysics in the WRF model. We have documented a number
of issues and our future work will deal with solutions,
particularly for warm rain processes along the windward side of
the coastal mountains of the U.S. West Coast.
