MEA 712: Introduction to Mesoscale Atmospheric Modeling


Course forum for discussion about model coding questions       Wolfware page for this course (gradebook, feedback, forum, etc.)
What is covered in this course: fundamental equations; mathematical basis of forecasting; finite difference methods for time and space, advection, and diffusion; accuracy, discretization error, and convergence; numerical stability and aliasing instability; staggered grids; perturbation method, Reynolds averaging, and sub-grid closure; lateral, upper, and lower boundary conditions; nesting; Kessler moist physics; quasi-compressible model framework and creation of a quasi-compressible atmospheric model.   What is not covered in this course: LaGrangian and semi-LaGrangian methods; spectral methods; finite element methods; non-Cartesian coordinate systems; other physical parameterizations; data analysis and assimilation techniques; configurations and results for current operational models.

Fall semester, 2007
Link to home page of MEA712 from Fall 2006

Professor: Dr. Matthew D. Parker, 5149 Jordan Hall, mdparker@ncsu.edu, office hours: TBA

This class is scheduled to meet in Jordan Hall 1109
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:45 PM

optional recommended text
Numerical Methods for Wave Equations in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, by Durran (Springer)

other recommended supplemental texts
Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling, by Pielke (Academic Press)
Storm and Cloud Dynamics, by Cotton and Anthes (Academic Press, out of print)

prerequisites:
Undergrad Atmospheric Dynamics and FORTRAN. In addition, you must have the software and know-how to take output data from codes that you write and make plots of it.


Course announcements

8/14: We will do some thinking and learning on the first day of class, so please arrive prepared.

Course handouts and other documents in PDF format

Course overview and policies
Semester schedule
First mini computing assignment
Second mini computing assignment
Third mini computing assignment
GrADS .ctl file for the third mini HW
Annotated tutorial example of GrADS .ctl file
PPT slides from Thursday 30 August
Fourth mini computing assignment
Help and advice on the 4th mini assignment
Midterm computing assignment
Notes on using bigdog for your coding projects
Questions and answers about the midterm assignment
First CMM Modeling Assignment
Supplemental handout that accompanies the first CMM assignment
Derivation of the non-dimensional pressure tendency equation from the continuity equation
Forthcoming schedule (i.e. what was unclear in class on 9/20)
Help and advice on the 1st CMM modeling task
Second CMM Modeling Assignment
Help and advice on the 2nd CMM modeling task
Third CMM Modeling Assignment
Help and advice on the 3rd CMM modeling task
Guidance for the semester class project
A Brief How-To on using MODULEs instead of COMMON blocks
Fourth CMM Modeling Assignment
Fifth CMM Modeling Assignment
Animation of Kessler run with Phi correction
Animation of Kessler run without Phi correction
Animation of Kessler run with upgraded code: no shear
Animation of Kessler run with upgraded code: with shear
Sixth CMM Modeling Assignment