Numerical Prediction of Marine Fog Using the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)

Numerical Prediction of Marine Fog Using the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)

Author: John L. Dumas

Publisher:

Published: 2001-03-01

Total Pages: 179

ISBN-13: 9781423529729

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The U.S. Navy's requirement for a computer prediction system for marine fog and stratus dates back to the 1970s when meteorological models were being introduced to the fleet. The Naval Research Laboratory's Coupled Ocean/ Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) is a leap forward in the Navy's numerical modeling ability but it still does not show great skill in fog forecasting. COAMPS has been 'tuned', or adjusted for certain constants and parameterizations, so that it has the minimum error for the maximum area. This tuning is a common practice for all numerical models. The objective of this thesis is to determine if changes can be made to the existing COAMPS code based on reasonable physical experiments for a specific location to help solve the numerical fog forecasting problem. The effectiveness of these experiments was first measured by comparing a modeled cloud edge to satellite imagery of Monterey, California taken during a week in August 2000 under a variety of foggy conditions. Comparisons were also made with observations taken from an aircraft, land stations and a vertical profiler. The experiments, specifically those regarding changes to the autoconversion and turbulent kinetic energy schemes, showed that while a perfect solution has not been found, it is possible to modify the model physics codes and optimize its performance in a specific region.


Book Synopsis Numerical Prediction of Marine Fog Using the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) by : John L. Dumas

Download or read book Numerical Prediction of Marine Fog Using the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) written by John L. Dumas and published by . This book was released on 2001-03-01 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The U.S. Navy's requirement for a computer prediction system for marine fog and stratus dates back to the 1970s when meteorological models were being introduced to the fleet. The Naval Research Laboratory's Coupled Ocean/ Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) is a leap forward in the Navy's numerical modeling ability but it still does not show great skill in fog forecasting. COAMPS has been 'tuned', or adjusted for certain constants and parameterizations, so that it has the minimum error for the maximum area. This tuning is a common practice for all numerical models. The objective of this thesis is to determine if changes can be made to the existing COAMPS code based on reasonable physical experiments for a specific location to help solve the numerical fog forecasting problem. The effectiveness of these experiments was first measured by comparing a modeled cloud edge to satellite imagery of Monterey, California taken during a week in August 2000 under a variety of foggy conditions. Comparisons were also made with observations taken from an aircraft, land stations and a vertical profiler. The experiments, specifically those regarding changes to the autoconversion and turbulent kinetic energy schemes, showed that while a perfect solution has not been found, it is possible to modify the model physics codes and optimize its performance in a specific region.


Marine Fog: Challenges and Advancements in Observations, Modeling, and Forecasting

Marine Fog: Challenges and Advancements in Observations, Modeling, and Forecasting

Author: Darko Koračin

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-01-28

Total Pages: 537

ISBN-13: 3319452290

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This volume presents the history of marine fog research and applications, and discusses the physical processes leading to fog's formation, evolution, and dissipation. A special emphasis is on the challenges and advancements of fog observation and modeling as well as on efforts toward operational fog forecasting and linkages and feedbacks between marine fog and the environment.


Book Synopsis Marine Fog: Challenges and Advancements in Observations, Modeling, and Forecasting by : Darko Koračin

Download or read book Marine Fog: Challenges and Advancements in Observations, Modeling, and Forecasting written by Darko Koračin and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-01-28 with total page 537 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume presents the history of marine fog research and applications, and discusses the physical processes leading to fog's formation, evolution, and dissipation. A special emphasis is on the challenges and advancements of fog observation and modeling as well as on efforts toward operational fog forecasting and linkages and feedbacks between marine fog and the environment.


An Open-ocean Marine Fog Development and Forecast Model for Ocean Weather Station Papa

An Open-ocean Marine Fog Development and Forecast Model for Ocean Weather Station Papa

Author: Robert Louis Clark

Publisher:

Published: 1981

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13:

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Marine fog forecasts during the summer period in the North Pacific are not made presently with any acceptable degree of accuracy. Objective fog development models exist and are used with some success for localized coastal regions of the western U.S.; scarcity of accurate data has hindered creation of a reliable open-ocean model. The Eulerian single-station approach, utilizing a segment of the complete accurate data of Ocean Weather Station Papa (50N, 145W) is applied in this study to an objective marine fog forecasting model. The time-series study of significant atmospheric variables at OWS Papa, when coupled with a chronological synoptic overview, delineates accurately fog/no fog sequences in the summer months of 1973 and 1977. Actual observed fog situations are evaluated by the general model and presented in relation to open-ocean fog indices, NOAA 5 satellite coverage and synoptic history. The open-ocean forecast model is tested on an independent data set for the month of July 1975 at OWS Papa, with favorable results. The research delineates four required indices that must all be positive to forecast fog. These indices, when plotted daily in the region of OWS Papa allow a single station to predict, with some confidence out to twenty-four hours, the occurrence of advection fog. (Author).


Book Synopsis An Open-ocean Marine Fog Development and Forecast Model for Ocean Weather Station Papa by : Robert Louis Clark

Download or read book An Open-ocean Marine Fog Development and Forecast Model for Ocean Weather Station Papa written by Robert Louis Clark and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Marine fog forecasts during the summer period in the North Pacific are not made presently with any acceptable degree of accuracy. Objective fog development models exist and are used with some success for localized coastal regions of the western U.S.; scarcity of accurate data has hindered creation of a reliable open-ocean model. The Eulerian single-station approach, utilizing a segment of the complete accurate data of Ocean Weather Station Papa (50N, 145W) is applied in this study to an objective marine fog forecasting model. The time-series study of significant atmospheric variables at OWS Papa, when coupled with a chronological synoptic overview, delineates accurately fog/no fog sequences in the summer months of 1973 and 1977. Actual observed fog situations are evaluated by the general model and presented in relation to open-ocean fog indices, NOAA 5 satellite coverage and synoptic history. The open-ocean forecast model is tested on an independent data set for the month of July 1975 at OWS Papa, with favorable results. The research delineates four required indices that must all be positive to forecast fog. These indices, when plotted daily in the region of OWS Papa allow a single station to predict, with some confidence out to twenty-four hours, the occurrence of advection fog. (Author).


Statistical Diagnostic Modeling of Marine Fog Using Model Output Parameters

Statistical Diagnostic Modeling of Marine Fog Using Model Output Parameters

Author: Brian Lee Van Orman

Publisher:

Published: 1977

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13:

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Diagnostic model output parameters, provided by the Fleet Numerical Weather Central, Monterey, Calif. (FNWC), and the marine fog frequency climatology developed at the Naval Postgraduate School, are statistically processed in context with marine surface synoptic ship reports in order to develop a linear regression scheme to model distribution of marine fog. The study area includes a large section of the North Pacific Ocean (from 30-60N) at 0000 GMT, 1-30 July 1976. The diagnostic capabilities of the regression equations are analyzed through the use of three verification scoring systems. Improvement over climatology and FNWC's operational fog probability program (FTER), is demonstrated. Selective mappings of the regression equation outputs and categorized observations are intercompared with the sea-level pressure analysis; FTER; and the evaporative heat flux--the most significant predictor parameter.


Book Synopsis Statistical Diagnostic Modeling of Marine Fog Using Model Output Parameters by : Brian Lee Van Orman

Download or read book Statistical Diagnostic Modeling of Marine Fog Using Model Output Parameters written by Brian Lee Van Orman and published by . This book was released on 1977 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Diagnostic model output parameters, provided by the Fleet Numerical Weather Central, Monterey, Calif. (FNWC), and the marine fog frequency climatology developed at the Naval Postgraduate School, are statistically processed in context with marine surface synoptic ship reports in order to develop a linear regression scheme to model distribution of marine fog. The study area includes a large section of the North Pacific Ocean (from 30-60N) at 0000 GMT, 1-30 July 1976. The diagnostic capabilities of the regression equations are analyzed through the use of three verification scoring systems. Improvement over climatology and FNWC's operational fog probability program (FTER), is demonstrated. Selective mappings of the regression equation outputs and categorized observations are intercompared with the sea-level pressure analysis; FTER; and the evaporative heat flux--the most significant predictor parameter.


Comparison of the Refractive Index Structure Constant Derived from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models and Thermosonde Data

Comparison of the Refractive Index Structure Constant Derived from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models and Thermosonde Data

Author: De Leon C. Narcisse

Publisher:

Published: 2003-03-01

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 9781423504986

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An accurate depiction of atmospheric turbulence is required for successful employment of a viable airborne laser for the Department of Defense (DOD). The ABL Special Program Office (SEC) which is tasked by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) bas not designated any particular numerical weather model that is tasked exclusively to model optical turbulence This research compares CLEAR1, 2 X CLEAR I and thermosonde derived values of the refractive index structure constant to optical turbulence values derived from several numerical weather prediction models currently in use by the DOD. The models used were the fifth Generation Mesoscale Model (MM5), the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Prediction System (COAMPS) and the Advanced Climate Modeling and Environmental Simulation (ACMES) program Comparisons are presented using thermosonde data collected at Vandenberg AEB California during the period l9-26 Oct 200l Universal Time Coordinated (UTC ) Results indicate that the model-derived optical turbulence and the thermosonde derived optical turbulence values are statistically different in many cases


Book Synopsis Comparison of the Refractive Index Structure Constant Derived from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models and Thermosonde Data by : De Leon C. Narcisse

Download or read book Comparison of the Refractive Index Structure Constant Derived from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models and Thermosonde Data written by De Leon C. Narcisse and published by . This book was released on 2003-03-01 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accurate depiction of atmospheric turbulence is required for successful employment of a viable airborne laser for the Department of Defense (DOD). The ABL Special Program Office (SEC) which is tasked by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) bas not designated any particular numerical weather model that is tasked exclusively to model optical turbulence This research compares CLEAR1, 2 X CLEAR I and thermosonde derived values of the refractive index structure constant to optical turbulence values derived from several numerical weather prediction models currently in use by the DOD. The models used were the fifth Generation Mesoscale Model (MM5), the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Prediction System (COAMPS) and the Advanced Climate Modeling and Environmental Simulation (ACMES) program Comparisons are presented using thermosonde data collected at Vandenberg AEB California during the period l9-26 Oct 200l Universal Time Coordinated (UTC ) Results indicate that the model-derived optical turbulence and the thermosonde derived optical turbulence values are statistically different in many cases


Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers and the Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment

Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers and the Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment

Author: Daniel P. Eleuterio

Publisher:

Published: 2004-06

Total Pages: 134

ISBN-13: 9781423518709

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The ability of the U.S. Navy's Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) (Trademark) to accurately forecast the height and structure of the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) in the coastal zone is analyzed and compared to surface and aircraft observations from the Dynamics and Evolution of Coastal Stratus (DECS) field study conducted along the central coast of California from June 16 to July 22, 1999. The stratus field was found to have significant mesoscale variability within 100 km of the coast due to interaction between the mean flow and the coastal terrain. This structure is consistent with general hydraulic flow theory and the development of a low-level coastal jet. However, the specific characteristics on any given day were very sensitive to flow direction, inversion height, and synoptic conditions. With some modifications, the model predicted the general evolution of these events with qualitative fidelity, but was slow to dissipate the cloud and frequently produced surface fog versus stratus. A consistent tendency was found in the model's predictions of inversion heights 200-300 meters too low, weak inversion strengths, high integrated liquid water content, and weak buoyancy flux near the cloud top. These observed biases are consistent with underestimating the cloud top entrainment velocity and entrainment fluxes in the modeled boundary layer. An explicit entrainment parameterization was developed to better represent the sub-grid scale processes at cloud top and was tested in the single column and 3D versions of COAMPS. The entrainment parameterization was found to improve the boundary layer height and cloud liquid water content as compared to field observations, but the modeled boundary layer still exhibited a low bias, and the entrainment velocity was higher than is generally expected from field studies for this regime. (2 tables, 53 figures. 80 refs.) ANNOTATION: The Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment in Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers


Book Synopsis Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers and the Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment by : Daniel P. Eleuterio

Download or read book Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers and the Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment written by Daniel P. Eleuterio and published by . This book was released on 2004-06 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ability of the U.S. Navy's Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) (Trademark) to accurately forecast the height and structure of the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) in the coastal zone is analyzed and compared to surface and aircraft observations from the Dynamics and Evolution of Coastal Stratus (DECS) field study conducted along the central coast of California from June 16 to July 22, 1999. The stratus field was found to have significant mesoscale variability within 100 km of the coast due to interaction between the mean flow and the coastal terrain. This structure is consistent with general hydraulic flow theory and the development of a low-level coastal jet. However, the specific characteristics on any given day were very sensitive to flow direction, inversion height, and synoptic conditions. With some modifications, the model predicted the general evolution of these events with qualitative fidelity, but was slow to dissipate the cloud and frequently produced surface fog versus stratus. A consistent tendency was found in the model's predictions of inversion heights 200-300 meters too low, weak inversion strengths, high integrated liquid water content, and weak buoyancy flux near the cloud top. These observed biases are consistent with underestimating the cloud top entrainment velocity and entrainment fluxes in the modeled boundary layer. An explicit entrainment parameterization was developed to better represent the sub-grid scale processes at cloud top and was tested in the single column and 3D versions of COAMPS. The entrainment parameterization was found to improve the boundary layer height and cloud liquid water content as compared to field observations, but the modeled boundary layer still exhibited a low bias, and the entrainment velocity was higher than is generally expected from field studies for this regime. (2 tables, 53 figures. 80 refs.) ANNOTATION: The Role of Cloud-Top Entrainment in Coastal Stratocumulus-Topped Boundary Layers


Classification of Summertime West Coast Fog and Stratus Events and the Development of Fog and Stratus Forecast Techniques

Classification of Summertime West Coast Fog and Stratus Events and the Development of Fog and Stratus Forecast Techniques

Author: Greg S. Ireton

Publisher:

Published: 2001-09-01

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 9781423526261

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The fog and stratus that frequently plagues the West Coast in the summer months is responsible for a variety of impacts on everyday life, the greatest impact on aviation. Many flight delays and cancellations that are experienced around the Pacific Rim are attributed to the development and evolution of the fog and stratus on the U.S. West Coast. This thesis studies the evolution of the fog and stratus events during the summer of 2000 through the use of geostationary, GOES-10, visual satellite imagery to develop a classification scheme. The synoptic-scale weather patterns as well as the mesoscale coastal regime were then associated with a type of stratus evolution. The Navy's mesoscale model, coupled ocean/atmosphere mesoscale prediction system (COAMPS), provided detailed simulation of 11 events to highlight the boundary layer evolution and its relationship to fog and stratus evolution. The fog and stratus classification scheme produced several consistent synoptic and mesoscale signals associated with stratus evolution. These relationships provide some forecasting techniques that should aid forecasters with predicting the evolution of fog and status events.


Book Synopsis Classification of Summertime West Coast Fog and Stratus Events and the Development of Fog and Stratus Forecast Techniques by : Greg S. Ireton

Download or read book Classification of Summertime West Coast Fog and Stratus Events and the Development of Fog and Stratus Forecast Techniques written by Greg S. Ireton and published by . This book was released on 2001-09-01 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fog and stratus that frequently plagues the West Coast in the summer months is responsible for a variety of impacts on everyday life, the greatest impact on aviation. Many flight delays and cancellations that are experienced around the Pacific Rim are attributed to the development and evolution of the fog and stratus on the U.S. West Coast. This thesis studies the evolution of the fog and stratus events during the summer of 2000 through the use of geostationary, GOES-10, visual satellite imagery to develop a classification scheme. The synoptic-scale weather patterns as well as the mesoscale coastal regime were then associated with a type of stratus evolution. The Navy's mesoscale model, coupled ocean/atmosphere mesoscale prediction system (COAMPS), provided detailed simulation of 11 events to highlight the boundary layer evolution and its relationship to fog and stratus evolution. The fog and stratus classification scheme produced several consistent synoptic and mesoscale signals associated with stratus evolution. These relationships provide some forecasting techniques that should aid forecasters with predicting the evolution of fog and status events.


Evaluation Study of the Tactical Atmospheric Modeling System/Real-Time (TAMS-RT) at NPMOC San Diego

Evaluation Study of the Tactical Atmospheric Modeling System/Real-Time (TAMS-RT) at NPMOC San Diego

Author: Arthur J. Reiss

Publisher:

Published: 1999-12-01

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 9781423539537

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The U.S. Navy is aggressively pursuing mesoscale atmospheric modeling. The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) has been developed by the Naval Research Lab in Monterey, California to meet this task. A forecast system employing COAMPS, called the Tactical Atmospheric Mesoscale System- Real Time (TAMS-RT), is currently being field tested at two of the Navy's major regional weather facilities in Manama, Bahrain and San Diego, California. Mesoscale modeling is a complex process that requires detailed knowledge of mesoscale forcing and responses, as well as a capable data display system to make the best use of this new capability. While the challenge of interpretation of forecasts on the mesoscale has increased, the time available for producing forecasts has, if anything, decreased. Optimal methods of evaluation and display are needed that enable a forecaster to rapidly, yet skillfully complete this process. This thesis illustrates analysis techniques to aid in rapidly evaluating the utility of any given mesoscale forecast and proposes optimal methods for 3-D visualization and interpretation of various weather parameters. Using these techniques and methods, TAMS-RT performance is then evaluated for critical mesoscale weather phenomena as defined by NPMOC San Diego, including the mesoscale weather effects associated with frontal passages and the Catalina Eddy.


Book Synopsis Evaluation Study of the Tactical Atmospheric Modeling System/Real-Time (TAMS-RT) at NPMOC San Diego by : Arthur J. Reiss

Download or read book Evaluation Study of the Tactical Atmospheric Modeling System/Real-Time (TAMS-RT) at NPMOC San Diego written by Arthur J. Reiss and published by . This book was released on 1999-12-01 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The U.S. Navy is aggressively pursuing mesoscale atmospheric modeling. The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) has been developed by the Naval Research Lab in Monterey, California to meet this task. A forecast system employing COAMPS, called the Tactical Atmospheric Mesoscale System- Real Time (TAMS-RT), is currently being field tested at two of the Navy's major regional weather facilities in Manama, Bahrain and San Diego, California. Mesoscale modeling is a complex process that requires detailed knowledge of mesoscale forcing and responses, as well as a capable data display system to make the best use of this new capability. While the challenge of interpretation of forecasts on the mesoscale has increased, the time available for producing forecasts has, if anything, decreased. Optimal methods of evaluation and display are needed that enable a forecaster to rapidly, yet skillfully complete this process. This thesis illustrates analysis techniques to aid in rapidly evaluating the utility of any given mesoscale forecast and proposes optimal methods for 3-D visualization and interpretation of various weather parameters. Using these techniques and methods, TAMS-RT performance is then evaluated for critical mesoscale weather phenomena as defined by NPMOC San Diego, including the mesoscale weather effects associated with frontal passages and the Catalina Eddy.


Conference on Mountain Meteorology

Conference on Mountain Meteorology

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 500

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Conference on Mountain Meteorology by :

Download or read book Conference on Mountain Meteorology written by and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Understanding Mesoscale Error Growth and Predictability

Understanding Mesoscale Error Growth and Predictability

Author: Michael A. Kuypers

Publisher:

Published: 2000-06

Total Pages: 115

ISBN-13: 9781423537328

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Technological advances have made atmospheric mesoscale modeling at very fine resolutions readily available to a great number of organizations. Though initial operational results show some skill with respect to synoptic scale forecasts, many of the problems associated with mesoscale error growth and predictability have been ignored. Understanding mesoscale error is critical to accurately interpreting mesoscale model results and output from tactical decision aids (TDA's). This study examines mesoscale error growth and predictability through controlled numerical model experiments. A known "true" atmosphere is created through the use of the US Navy's Coupled Oceanographic/ Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Virtual observations are randomly sampled from this atmosphere to provide data for ingest into forecasts using the NCARIPenn State MM5 mesoscale model. Forecast results for ten cases are compared against the "true" atmospheric solution and error statistics are calculated for wind speed and geopotential height fields. Results show how error growth and predictability are affected by different variables such as boundary conditions, weather regime, sample size and sample distribution. A scale separation of error is also performed in order to assess the impact of synoptic scale error on mesoscale error.


Book Synopsis Understanding Mesoscale Error Growth and Predictability by : Michael A. Kuypers

Download or read book Understanding Mesoscale Error Growth and Predictability written by Michael A. Kuypers and published by . This book was released on 2000-06 with total page 115 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Technological advances have made atmospheric mesoscale modeling at very fine resolutions readily available to a great number of organizations. Though initial operational results show some skill with respect to synoptic scale forecasts, many of the problems associated with mesoscale error growth and predictability have been ignored. Understanding mesoscale error is critical to accurately interpreting mesoscale model results and output from tactical decision aids (TDA's). This study examines mesoscale error growth and predictability through controlled numerical model experiments. A known "true" atmosphere is created through the use of the US Navy's Coupled Oceanographic/ Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Virtual observations are randomly sampled from this atmosphere to provide data for ingest into forecasts using the NCARIPenn State MM5 mesoscale model. Forecast results for ten cases are compared against the "true" atmospheric solution and error statistics are calculated for wind speed and geopotential height fields. Results show how error growth and predictability are affected by different variables such as boundary conditions, weather regime, sample size and sample distribution. A scale separation of error is also performed in order to assess the impact of synoptic scale error on mesoscale error.