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Coupled weather research and forecasting–stochastic time-inverted lagrangian transport (WRF–STILT) model

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Abstract

This paper describes the coupling between a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model, the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model. The primary motivation for developing this coupled model has been to reduce transport errors in continental-scale top–down estimates of terrestrial greenhouse gas fluxes. Examples of the model’s application are shown here for backward trajectory computations originating at CO2 measurement sites in North America. Owing to its unique features, including meteorological realism and large support base, good mass conservation properties, and a realistic treatment of convection within STILT, the WRF–STILT model offers an attractive tool for a wide range of applications, including inverse flux estimates, flight planning, satellite validation, emergency response and source attribution, air quality, and planetary exploration.

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Acknowledgments

Work at AER has been supported by the NASA Terrestrial Ecology Program (contract NNH05CC42C) and the National Science Foundation Atmospheric Chemistry Program (Grant ATM-0836153). The original manuscript was improved through constructive reviews by Arlyn Andrews (NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory) and an anonymous reviewer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., Lexington, MA, USA

    Thomas Nehrkorn & Janusz Eluszkiewicz

  2. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Steven C. Wofsy & Marcos Longo

  3. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    John C. Lin

  4. Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie, Jena, Germany

    Christoph Gerbig

  5. Center for Weather Forecasts and Climate Studies (CPTEC), INPE, Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil

    Saulo Freitas

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  1. Thomas Nehrkorn
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  2. Janusz Eluszkiewicz
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  3. Steven C. Wofsy
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  4. John C. Lin
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  5. Christoph Gerbig
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  6. Marcos Longo
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  7. Saulo Freitas
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Correspondence to Thomas Nehrkorn.

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Nehrkorn, T., Eluszkiewicz, J., Wofsy, S.C. et al. Coupled weather research and forecasting–stochastic time-inverted lagrangian transport (WRF–STILT) model. Meteorol Atmos Phys 107, 51–64 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-010-0068-x

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