Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2152
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2152
28 Sep 2023
 | 28 Sep 2023

Evaluation of WRF 4.5.1 surface layer scheme representation of temperature inversions over boreal forests

Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta

Abstract. In this study, the Noah Land Surface Model used in conjunction with the Mellor-Janjić-Yamada surface layer scheme (hereafter, Noah-MYJ) and the Noah MultiPhysics scheme (Noah-MP) from the WRF 4.5.1 meso-scale model are evaluated with regards to their performance in reproducing positive temperature gradients over forested areas in the Arctic winter. First, simplified versions of the WRF schemes, recoded in Python, are compared with conceptual models of the surface layer in order to gain insight into the dependence of the temperature gradient on the wind speed at the top of the surface layer. It is shown that the WRF schemes place strong limits on the turbulent collapse, leading to lower surface temperature gradient at low wind speeds than in the conceptual models. We implemented modifications to the WRF schemes to correct this effect. The original and modified versions of Noah-MYJ and Noah-MP are then evaluated compared to long-term measurements at the Ameriflux Poker Flats Research Range, a forest site in Interior Alaska. Noah-MP is found to perform better than Noah-MYJ because the former is a 2-layer model which explicitly takes into account the effect of the forest canopy. Indeed a non-negligible temperature gradient is maintained below the canopy at high wind speeds, leading to overall larger gradients than in the absence of vegetation. Furthermore, the modified versions are found to perform better than the original versions of each scheme because they better reproduce strong temperature gradients at low wind speeds.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Apr 2024
Evaluation and development of surface layer scheme representation of temperature inversions over boreal forests in Arctic wintertime conditions
Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 3303–3320, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3303-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3303-2024, 2024
Short summary
Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2152', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Oct 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2152', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2152', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Oct 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2152', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Jean-Christophe Raut on behalf of the Authors (30 Jan 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (27 Feb 2024) by Yongze Song
AR by Jean-Christophe Raut on behalf of the Authors (08 Mar 2024)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Apr 2024
Evaluation and development of surface layer scheme representation of temperature inversions over boreal forests in Arctic wintertime conditions
Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 3303–3320, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3303-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3303-2024, 2024
Short summary
Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta
Julia Maillard, Jean-Christophe Raut, and François Ravetta

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Short summary
Atmospheric models struggle to reproduce the strong temperature inversions in the vicinity of the surface over forested areas in the Arctic winter. In this paper, we develop modified simplified versions of surface layer schemes widely used by the community. Our modifications are used to correct the fact that original schemes place strong limits on the turbulent collapse, leading to lower surface temperature gradient at low wind speeds. Modified versions show a better performance.