Numerical Modeling of Micro-Numerical Modeling of Micro-Meso-scale Atmospheric Meso-scale Atmospheric

ProcessesProcesses

Mike KieferMike KieferResearch AssociateResearch Associate

Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University

Numerical Modeling Numerical Modeling StrategyStrategy

Validate model against available Validate model against available observationsobservations

Use model as a tool to investigate Use model as a tool to investigate processes in the atmosphereprocesses in the atmosphere Flow over complex terrainFlow over complex terrain Boundary layer evolutionBoundary layer evolution Fire-atmosphere interactionFire-atmosphere interaction

A Numerical Modeling A Numerical Modeling Study of the Nocturnal Study of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer Inside Boundary Layer Inside

Arizona’s Meteor CraterArizona’s Meteor Crater

In Review: Journal of In Review: Journal of Applied Meteorology and Applied Meteorology and

ClimatologyClimatology

Notable Features of Crater Notable Features of Crater NBLNBL

From Whiteman et al. 2008 (BAMS, Nov 2008, 1665-1680)

OBSERVED

Modeling StrategyModeling Strategy

x , y = 9 km

x , y = 50 m

Advanced Regional Prediction System

-Developed at the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms at the University of Oklahoma (Xue et al. 2001, 2003)

-Initial and boundary condition data for outer grid simulation from North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR)

Vertical Cross SectionsVertical Cross SectionsPotential Temperature (K)

1700 MST1800 MST1900 MST2000 MST2100 MST2200 MST2300 MST0000 MST

Model Results

Potential Temperature Potential Temperature ProfilesProfiles

Model Results

Thermodynamic BudgetThermodynamic Budget

Model Results

Application of ARPS to the Application of ARPS to the Study of Atmospheric Study of Atmospheric

Processes Associated with Processes Associated with Wildland FiresWildland Fires

Quasi-steady BehaviorQuasi-steady Behavior

Vertical Cross Section

(Y = 2.5 km)

Horizontal Cross Section

(Z = 600 m)

Fire With/Without Canopy Fire With/Without Canopy ParameterizationParameterization

Fire (No Canopy) Fire (With Canopy)

Questions?Questions?