Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Further study on the effect of buffer zone size on regional climate modeling

  • Published:
Climate Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the effect of buffer zone size on the performance of a regional climate model (RCM) was investigated. In contrast to carrying out simulations where the buffer zone expands inward, numerical experiments were performed with the buffer zone expanded outward, which ensured an objective comparison on the effect of buffer zone sizes. Case simulations on the abnormal 1998 East Asian summer monsoon demonstrated that an RCM’s performance depended on the outward expansion of the buffer zone. Moreover, a broader buffer zone is able to improve large-scale circulation simulation in the upper troposphere; however, a narrower buffer zone shows better performance in the middle and lower troposphere. Numerical experiments show that the performance of RCMs in simulating the seasonal evolution of rainbands over eastern China is not completely consistent with that of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). A possible reason why the configuration with the buffer zone expanding inward can improve the extension/withdrawal of the summer monsoon and the associated precipitation evolution over eastern China is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Briegleb BP (1992) Delta-Eddington approximation for solar radiation in the NCAR community climate model. J Geophys Res 97:7603–7612

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies HC, Turner RE (1977) Updating prediction methods by dynamical relaxation: an examination of the technique. Q J Roy Meteorol Soc 103:225–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denis B, Laprise R, Caya D, Côté J (2002) Downscaling ability of one-way nested regional climate models: the Big-Brother Experiment. Clim Dyn 18:627–646. doi:10.1007/s00382-001-0201-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diaconescu PE, Laprise R, Sushama L (2007) The impact of lateral boundary data errors on the simulated climate of a nested regional climate model. Clim Dyn 28:333–350. doi:10.1007/s00382-006-0189-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson RE, Henderson-Sellers A, Kennedy PJ (1993) Biosphere–atmosphere transfer scheme (BATS) version 1e as coupled to the NCAR Community Climate Model. Tech Note TN-387+STR, NCAR, 72

  • Ding YH, Shi XL, Liu YM, Liu Y, Li QQ, Qian YF, Miao MQ, Zhai GQ, Gao K (2006) Multi-year simulations and experimental seasonal predictions for rainy seasons in China by using a nested regional climate model (RegCM_NCC). Part I: sensitivity study. Adv Atmos Sci 23:323–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi F, Mearns LO (1999) Introduction to special section: regional climate modeling revisited. J Geophys Res 104:6335–6352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi F, Marinucci MR, Bates GT (1993a) Development of a second-generation regional climate model (RegCM2). Part I: boundary-layer and radiative transfer processes. Mon Weather Rev 121:2794–2813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi F, Marinucci MR, Bates GT (1993b) Development of a second-generation regional climate model (RegCM2). Part II: convective processes and assimilation of lateral boundary conditions. Mon Weather Rev 121:2814–2832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi F, Huang Y, Nishizawa K, Fu CB (1999) A seasonal cycle simulation over eastern Asia and its sensitivity to radiative transfer and surface processes. J Geophys Res 104(D6):6402–6423

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong W, Wang W-C (2000) A regional model simulation of the 1991 severe precipitation event over the Yangtze-Huai valley. Part II: model bias. J Clim 13:93–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grell GA, Dudhia J, Stauffer DR (1994) A description of the fifth generation Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). Tech Note, TN 398+STR, NCAR, 121

  • Holtslag AAM, De Bruijin EIF, Pan HL (1990) A high resolution air mass transformation model for short-range weather forecasting. Mon Weather Rev 118:1561–1575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong SY, Juang HMH, Lee DK (1999) Evaluation of a regional spectral model for the East Asia monsoon case studies for July 1987 and 1988. J Meteorol Soc Jpn 77:553–572

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu H-H, Hung C-H, Lo A-K, Wu C-C, Hung C-W (2008) Influence of tropical cyclones on the estimation of climate variability in the tropical western north Pacific. J Clim 21:2960–2975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huffman GJ, Adler RF, Morrissey MM, Bolvin DT, Curtis S, Joyce R, McGavock B, Susskind J (2001) Global precipitation at one-degree daily resolution from multisatellite observations. J Hydrometeorol 2:36–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones RG, Murphy JM, Noguer M (1995) Simulation of climate change over Europe using a nested regional climate model I: assessment of control climate, including sensitivity to location of lateral boundaries. Q J Roy Meteorol Soc 121:1413–1449

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalnay E, Kamanitsu M, Kistler R, Cpllins W, Deaven D, Gandin L, Iredell M, Saha S, White G, Woollen J, Zhu Y, Leetmaa A, Reynolds B, Chelliah M, Ebisuzaki W, Higgins W, Janowiak J, Mo KC, Ropelewski C, Wang J, Jenne R, Joseph D (1996) The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 77:437–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang IS, Jin K, Wang B (2002) Intercomparison of the climatological variations of Asian summer monsoon precipitation simulated by 10 GCMs. Clim Dyn 19:383–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Kato H, Hirakuchi H, Nishizawa K, Giorgi F (1999) Performance of NCAR RegCM in the simulation of June and January climates over eastern Asia and the high-resolution effect of the model. J Geophys Res 104(D6):6455–6476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee DK, Suh MS (2000) The ten-year East Asian summer monsoon simulation using a regional climate model (RegCM2). J Geophys Res 105(D24):29565–29577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung LR, Zhong SY, Qian Y, Liu YM (2004) Evaluation of regional climate simulations of 1998 and 1999 East Asian summer monsoon using GAME/HUBEX observational data. J Meteorol Soc Jpn 82:1695–1713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang X-Z, Kunkel KE, Samel AN (2001) Development of a regional climate model for US Midwest applications. Part I: sensitivity to buffer zone treatment. J Clim 14:4363–4378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YQ, Giorgi F, Washinton WM (1997) Simulation of summer climate over East Asia with an NCAR regional climate model. Mon Weather Rev 105:270–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Marbaix P, Gallée H, Brasseur O, Ypersele J-P (2003) Lateral boundary conditions in regional climate models: a detailed study of the relaxation procedure. Mon Weather Rev 131:461–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pal JS, Giorgi F, Bi XQ, Elguindi N, Solmon F, Gao XJ, Ashfaq M, Francisco R, Bell J, Diffenbaugh N, Sloan L, Steiner A, Winter J, Zakey A (2007) The ICTP RegCM3 and RegCNET: regional climate modeling for the developing world. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 88:1395–1409. doi:10.1175/BAMS-88-9-1395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian Y, Leung LR (2007) A long-term regional climate simulation and observations of the hydroclimate in China. J Geophys Res 112:D14104. doi:10.1029/2006JD008134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sriver RL, Huber M, Nusbaumer J (2008) Investigating tropical cyclone-climate feedbacks using the TRMM Microwave Imager and the Quick Scatterometer. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 9:Q09V11. doi:10.1029/2007GC001842

  • Staniforth A (1995) Regional modeling: Theoretical discussion, WMO PWPR Rep Ser vol 7, WMO/TD-No 699. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, 72 pp

  • Tao SY, Chen LX (1987) A review of recent research on the East Asian summer monsoon in China. In: Chang CP, Krishnamurti TN (eds) Monsoon meteorology. Oxford University Press, USA, pp 60–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao SY, Ni YQ, Zhao SX, Wang JJ (2001) Formation mechanism and forecast research for the rainstorm in China in 1998. China Meteorological Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Sen OL, Wang B (2003) A highly resolved regional climate model (IPRC-RegCM) and its simulation of the 1998 severe precipitation event over China. Part I: model description and verification of simulation. J Clim 16:1721–1738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner TT, Peterson RA, Treadon RE (1997) A tutorial on lateral boundary conditions as a basic and potentially serious limitation to regional numerical weather prediction. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 78:2599–2617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei H, Fu C, Wang W-C (1998) The effect of lateral boundary treatment of regional climate model on the East Asia summer monsoon rainfall simulation. Chin J Atmos Sci 22:779–790 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu R, Li W, Zhang X, Liu Y, Yu Y, Liu H, Zhou T (2000) Climatic features related to eastern China summer rainfalls in the NCAR CCM3. Adv Atmos Sci 17:503–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong Z (2006) A possible cause of a regional climate models’ failure in simulating the East Asian summer monsoon. Geophys Res Lett 33:L24707. doi:10.1029/2006GL027654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong Z, Hu Y (2007) Impacts of tropical cyclones on the regional climate: an East Asian summer monsoon case. Atmos Sci Lett 8:93–99. doi:10.1002/asl158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou T, Li Z (2002) Simulation of the East Asian summer monsoon by using a variable resolution atmospheric GCM. Clim Dyn 19:167–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou T, Yu R (2005) Atmospheric water vapor transport associated with typical anomalous summer rainfall patterns in China. J Geophys Res 110:D08104. doi:10.1029/2004JD005413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou T, Yu R, Li H, Wang B (2008) Ocean forcing to changes in global monsoon precipitation over the recent half-century. J Clim 21:3833–3852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou T, Wu B, Wang B (2009) How well do atmospheric general circulation models capture the leading modes of the interannual variability of the Asian-Australian monsoon? J Clim 22:1159–1173

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would give our thankfulness to two reviewers for their elaborate comments and suggestions, which helped to improve the quality of this paper. The GPCP combined precipitation data were provided by the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center’s Laboratory for Atmospheres, which develops and computes the dataset as a contribution to the GEWEX Global Precipitation Climatology Project. This work is jointly supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 40675065) and National Key Basic Research Development Program of China (2007CB411805 and 2010CB428505).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Applied Geophysics, Institute of Meteorology, PLA University of Science and Technology, Zhong Hua Men Wai, 211101, Nanjing, China

    Zhong Zhong, Xiaodan Wang, Wei Lu & Yijia Hu

  2. School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China

    Zhong Zhong

Authors
  1. Zhong Zhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaodan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wei Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yijia Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhong Zhong.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhong, Z., Wang, X., Lu, W. et al. Further study on the effect of buffer zone size on regional climate modeling. Clim Dyn 35, 1027–1038 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-009-0662-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-009-0662-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation