Evelyne Richard

The Influence of Soil and Vegetation on the Development of Mesoscale Circulations

Abstract A two-dimensional mesoscale model including a detailed representation of the planetary boundary layer, the soil and the vegetation is developed. A sea breeze over flat terrain is simulated, thereby confirming the ability of the model to reproduce the known properties of this mesoscale phenomenon. The atmospheric response to soil and vegetation inhomogeneities is then examined with no synoptic flow over flat terrain. The results reveal the large influence of soil texture on surface moisture availability. The transition zone between bare soil and vegetation appears to be a preferred location for the initiation of moist convection. A vegetation canopy over very dry or very wet surfaces reduces the spread between sensible and latent heat fluxes.

HyMeX-SOP1: The Field Campaign Dedicated to Heavy Precipitation and Flash Flooding in the Northwestern Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is frequently affected by heavy precipitation events associated with flash floods, landslides, and mudslides that cause hundreds of millions of euros in damages per year and often, casualties. A major field campaign was devoted to heavy precipitation and flash floods from 5 September to 6 November 2012 within the framework of the 10-year international HyMeX (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment) dedicated to the hydrological cycle and related high-impact events. The 2- month field campaign took place over the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea and its surrounding coastal regions in France, Italy, and Spain. The observation strategy of the field experiment was devised to improve our knowledge on the following key components leading to heavy precipitation and flash flooding in the region: i) the marine atmospheric flows that transport moist and conditionally unstable air towards the coasts; ii) the Mediterranean Sea acting as a moisture and energy source; iii) the dynamics and microphysics of the convective systems producing heavy precipitation; iv) the hydrological processes during flash floods. This article provides the rationale for developing this first HyMeX field experiment and an overview of its design and execution. Highlights of some Intense Observation Periods illustrate the potential of the unique datasets collected for process understanding, model improvement and data assimilation.

The Convective and Orographically Induced Precipitation Study:A Research and Development Project of the World Weather Research Program for Improving Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting in Low-mountain Regions

Abstract The international field campaign called the Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study (COPS) took place from June to August 2007 in southwestern Germany/eastern France. The overarching goal of COPS is to advance the quality of forecasts of orographically-induced convective precipitation by four-dimensional observations and modeling of its life cycle. COPS was endorsed as one of the Research and Development Projects of the World Weather Research Program (WWRP), and combines the efforts of institutions and scientists from eight countries. A strong collaboration between instrument principal investigators and experts on mesoscale modeling has been established within COPS. In order to study the relative importance of large-scale and small-scale forcing leading to convection initiation in low mountains, COPS is coordinated with a one-year General Observations Period in central Europe, the WWRP Forecast Demonstration Project MAP D-PHASE, and the first summertime European THORPEX Regional...

MAP D-PHASE: Real-Time Demonstration of Weather Forecast Quality in the Alpine Region

Demonstration of probabilistic hydrological and atmospheric simulation of flood events in the Alpine region (D-PHASE) is made by the Forecast Demonstration Project in connection with the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP). Its focus lies in the end-to-end flood forecasting in a mountainous region such as the Alps and surrounding lower ranges. Its scope ranges from radar observations and atmospheric and hydrological modeling to the decision making by the civil protection agents. More than 30 atmospheric high-resolution deterministic and probabilistic models coupled to some seven hydrological models in various combinations provided real-time online information. This information was available for many different catchments across the Alps over a demonstration period of 6 months in summer/ fall 2007. The Web-based exchange platform additionally contained nowcasting information from various operational services and feedback channels for the forecasters and end users. D-PHASE applications include objective model verification and intercomparison, the assessment of (subjective) end user feedback, and evaluation of the overall gain from the coupling of the various components in the end-to-end forecasting system.

An investigation of Mesoscale Flows Induced by Vegetation Inhomogeneities Using an Evapotranspiration Model Calibrated Against HAPEX-MOBILHY Data

Abstract Many recent studies have suggested that heterogeneities in soil properties or vegetation characteristics many trigger mesoscale circulations in planetary boundary layer (PBL). Unfortunately, these flows appear to be very sensitive to the choice of the model characteristics and therefore require a careful calibration of the parameterization representing the vegetation/atmosphere interface. In this paper, the micrometeorological data from the HAPEX-MOBILHY field experiment are used to calibrate an evapotranspiration parameterization scheme over three types of dense vegetation typical of western Europe. This parameterization is then used a 2D mesoscale model to investigate the atmospheric response to a discontinuity in vegetation type (cereal crop to conifer forest). The results show a significant circulation when the soil is moist, associated with substantial PBL modification, whereas only a negligible atmospheric response is obtained when the soil is dry in the conifer forest). The results show a ...

The Numerical Simulation of Clouds, Rains and Airflow over the Vosges and Black Forest Mountains: A Meso-β Model with Parameterized Microphysics

Abstract A three-dimensional meso-β model with parameterized microphysics is presented. The model is capable of simulating orographically forced clouds, rain, and airflow. Tests using a two-dimensional version confirm the ability of the model to replicate the linear and nonlinear mountain wave simulations of previous authors. The model is applied to the Rhine valley and surrounding mountainous areas, the Vosges in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Model-predicted rainfall over the mountainous areas is in good agreement with observations in both magnitude and location; however, an absence of model-predicted cloud cover over the Rhine valley suggests the need for an improved mesoscale initialization procedure.

The Role of Surface Friction in Downslope Windstorms

Abstract Numerical simulations of the 11 January 1972 windstorm in Boulder, Colorado, were carded out using a hydrostatic model with a turbulent kinetic energy parameterization to investigate the role of fictional effects in the development of nonlinear mountain waves. Sensitivity tests to the roughness length specification and to the turbulent mixing and dissipation length formulations show that surface friction delays the onset of the strong surface winds and also prevents the downstream propagation of the zone of maximum windspeed. Shear production within convectively stable regions is the dominant mechanism for the production of the turbulent kinetic energy. Moreover, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that a hydrostatic amplification mechanism is capable of accounting for the development of strong downslope winds.

Impact of Subgrid-Scale Orography Parameterization on the Simulation of Orographic Flows

Abstract A subgrid-scale orography parameterization based upon the use of an effective roughness length has been implemented in a mesobeta-scale model. The impact of such a parameterization is investigated in the framework of orographic flow simulations. Three mountain flow situations observed during the Pyrenees Experiment (PYREX) are studied. When subgrid-scale orography is accounted for, the mountain wave amplitude is reduced, the blocking is increased, the leeside low-level turbulence is intensified, and the regional wind characteristics are modified. Detailed comparisons made with the PYREX data indicate that the inclusion of subgrid orography yields a significant improvement in the model results.

Momentum Budget over the Pyrénées: The PYREX Experiment

Abstract Although the qualitative influence of mountains over the atmosphere has been known for a long time, numerous deficiencies, linked to orography, are still noted, either in forecasts by regional models, or in the long-term behavior of climate models. This is why the French and Spanish weather services are undertaking an important field campaign to document the dynamic modifications to the atmospheric flow generated by the Pyrenean range during a 2-month period (October and November 1990) with six intensive observation periods (IOPs) of 2 to 3 days. The experimental strategy is based largely on mesoscale numerical-model results and will help to validate these models. The main focus is on the documentation of clear-air turbulence generated either by breaking mountain waves, by surface roughness, or by the wind shear induced by the lateral-flow deviation around the mountain. Experimental means include several networks of surface stations, radio soundings, constant-level balloons, four wind profilers, ...

Simple Tests of a Semi-Implicit Semi-Lagrangian Model on 2D Mountain Wave Problems

Abstract The fully compressible 3D nonhydrostatic semi-implicit semi-Lagrangian MC2 (mesoscale compressible community) model described by Tanguay et al. has been modified in order to incorporate orography through the Gal-Chen and Somerville transformation of the vertical coordinate by Denis. In this study, a 2D version of the model is tested against classical solutions covering various mountain-wave regimes for continuously stratified flows. A close inspection of the propagation of the vertical momentum flux is performed to asses the accuracy and stability of the numerical method. The study emphasizes also the fact that a correct representation of forced hydrostatic gravity waves is reliable for Courant numbers less than 0.5. This limitation may be less severe as the flow becomes more nonhydrostatic. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the isothermal reference state for flows with realistic static stability and over steep slope mountain is explored.