Original scientific paper

CRITICAL EVALUATION AND PROPOSED REFINEMENT OF THE TROEN AND MAHRT (1986) BOUNDARY LAYER MODEL

Stefano Serafin ; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento Via Mesiano 77, I–38050 Trento, Italy
Dino Zardi ; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Trento Via Mesiano 77, I–38050 Trento, Italy

Abstract

A widely used bulk model of the atmospheric boundary layer (BL) was proposed by Troen and Mahrt (1986) (hereinafter TM). The TM parameterization scheme was conceived for use in models where only a coarse resolution in the BL can be achieved (e.g. climate models and weather prediction models up to the meso-β scale). Nevertheless, this parameterization scheme is still widely adopted in high resolution local area models, even in complex terrain areas. In various LES-based tests of BL parameterizations, the TM model is typically found to fail in predicting the entrainment rate, often overestimating it in a BL with strong shear, and underestimating it in conditions of free convection. As K-closures can still be of interest in NWP, possible refinements to the TM bulk model,
correcting its shortcomings, are discussed, with the further aim of reducing as much as possible the number of empirical constants in favour of conceptually based parameterisations.

Keywords

boundary layer; bulk parameterization schemes; entrainment; mixing height

Hrčak ID:

64666

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/64666

Publication date:

15.12.2005.

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