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An Intercomparison of Large-Eddy Simulations of the Stable Boundary Layer

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Abstract

Results are presented from the first intercomparison of large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL), as part of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study initiative. A moderately stable case is used, based on Arctic observations. All models produce successful simulations, in as much as they generate resolved turbulence and reflect many of the results from local scaling theory and observations. Simulations performed at 1-m and 2-m resolution show only small changes in the mean profiles compared to coarser resolutions. Also, sensitivity to subgrid models for individual models highlights their importance in SBL simulation at moderate resolution (6.25 m). Stability functions are derived from the LES using typical mixing lengths used in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate models. The functions have smaller values than those used in NWP. There is also support for the use of K-profile similarity in parametrizations. Thus, the results provide improved understanding and motivate future developments of the parametrization of the SBL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Met Office, U.K

    Robert J. Beare, Malcolm K. Macvean & Anne Mccabe

  2. Wageningen University, The Netherlands

    Albert A. M. Holtslag & Arnold F. Moene

  3. Universitat de les Illes Balears, Spain

    Joan Cuxart & Maria A. Jimenez

  4. Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Norway

    Igor Esau

  5. Naval Research Laboratory, National Research Council, Monterey, CA, U.S.A

    Jean-Christophe Golaz

  6. Colorado State University, U.S.A

    Marat Khairoutdinov

  7. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, U.S.A

    Branko Kosovic & Julie K. Lundquist

  8. West Virginia University, U.S.A

    David Lewellen

  9. Colorado Research Associates, U.S.A

    Thomas S. Lund

  10. Yonsei University, South Korea

    Yign Noh

  11. University of Hannover, Germany

    Siegfried Raasch

  12. National Center for Atmospheric Research, U.S.A

    Peter Sullivan

Authors
  1. Robert J. Beare
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  2. Malcolm K. Macvean
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  3. Albert A. M. Holtslag
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  4. Joan Cuxart
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  5. Igor Esau
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  6. Jean-Christophe Golaz
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  7. Maria A. Jimenez
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  8. Marat Khairoutdinov
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  9. Branko Kosovic
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  10. David Lewellen
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  11. Thomas S. Lund
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  12. Julie K. Lundquist
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  13. Anne Mccabe
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  14. Arnold F. Moene
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  15. Yign Noh
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  16. Siegfried Raasch
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  17. Peter Sullivan
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Correspondence to Robert J. Beare.

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Beare, R.J., Macvean, M.K., Holtslag, A.A.M. et al. An Intercomparison of Large-Eddy Simulations of the Stable Boundary Layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 118, 247–272 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-004-2820-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-004-2820-6

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