Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography
The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been successfully used in weather prediction, but its ability to simulate precipitation over areas with complex topography is not optimal. Consequently, WRF has problems forecasting rainfall events over Chilean mountainous terrain and foothills, w...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/8/304 |
| _version_ | 1819228770759868416 |
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| author | Gonzalo Yáñez-Morroni Jorge Gironás Marta Caneo Rodrigo Delgado René Garreaud |
| author_facet | Gonzalo Yáñez-Morroni Jorge Gironás Marta Caneo Rodrigo Delgado René Garreaud |
| author_sort | Gonzalo Yáñez-Morroni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been successfully used in weather prediction, but its ability to simulate precipitation over areas with complex topography is not optimal. Consequently, WRF has problems forecasting rainfall events over Chilean mountainous terrain and foothills, where some of the main cities are located, and where intense rainfall occurs due to cutoff lows. This work analyzes an ensemble of microphysics schemes to enhance initial forecasts made by the Chilean Weather Agency in the front range of Santiago. We first tested different vertical levels resolution, land use and land surface models, as well as meteorological forcing (GFS/FNL). The final ensemble configuration considered three microphysics schemes and lead times over three rainfall events between 2015 and 2017. Cutoff low complex meteorological characteristics impede the temporal simulation of rainfall properties. With three days of lead time, WRF properly forecasts the rainiest N-hours and temperatures during the event, although more accuracy is obtained when the rainfall is caused by a meteorological frontal system. Finally, the WSM6 microphysics option had the best performance, although further analysis using other storms and locations in the area are needed to strengthen this result. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:02:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2d1cd9805de64e6d8592406685a0794e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:02:34Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-2d1cd9805de64e6d8592406685a0794e2022-12-21T17:49:34ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332018-08-019830410.3390/atmos9080304atmos9080304Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex TopographyGonzalo Yáñez-Morroni0Jorge Gironás1Marta Caneo2Rodrigo Delgado3René Garreaud4Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago 7820436, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago 7820436, ChileDirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC), Portales 3450, Estación Central, Santiago 9170018, ChileDirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC), Portales 3450, Estación Central, Santiago 9170018, ChileDepartamento de Geofísica, Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2002, Santiago Centro, Santiago 8370449, ChileThe Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been successfully used in weather prediction, but its ability to simulate precipitation over areas with complex topography is not optimal. Consequently, WRF has problems forecasting rainfall events over Chilean mountainous terrain and foothills, where some of the main cities are located, and where intense rainfall occurs due to cutoff lows. This work analyzes an ensemble of microphysics schemes to enhance initial forecasts made by the Chilean Weather Agency in the front range of Santiago. We first tested different vertical levels resolution, land use and land surface models, as well as meteorological forcing (GFS/FNL). The final ensemble configuration considered three microphysics schemes and lead times over three rainfall events between 2015 and 2017. Cutoff low complex meteorological characteristics impede the temporal simulation of rainfall properties. With three days of lead time, WRF properly forecasts the rainiest N-hours and temperatures during the event, although more accuracy is obtained when the rainfall is caused by a meteorological frontal system. Finally, the WSM6 microphysics option had the best performance, although further analysis using other storms and locations in the area are needed to strengthen this result.http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/8/304WRF forecastrainfallcomplex topographyAndean watershedflash floods |
| spellingShingle | Gonzalo Yáñez-Morroni Jorge Gironás Marta Caneo Rodrigo Delgado René Garreaud Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography Atmosphere WRF forecast rainfall complex topography Andean watershed flash floods |
| title | Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography |
| title_full | Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography |
| title_fullStr | Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography |
| title_short | Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for Precipitation Forecasting in an Andean Region with Complex Topography |
| title_sort | using the weather research and forecasting wrf model for precipitation forecasting in an andean region with complex topography |
| topic | WRF forecast rainfall complex topography Andean watershed flash floods |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/8/304 |
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