Explicit numerical diffusion in the WRF model

Diffusion that is implicit in the odd-ordered advection schemes in early versions of the Advanced Research core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is sometimes insufficient to remove noise from kinematical fields. The problem is worst when grid-relative wind speeds are low and when stratification is nearly neutral or unstable, such as in weakly forced daytime boundary layers, where noise can grow until it competes with the physical phenomena being simulated. One solution to this problem is an explicit, sixth-order numerical diffusion scheme that preserves the WRF model’s high effective resolution and uses a flux limiter to ensure monotonicity. The scheme, and how it was added to the WRF model, are explained. The scheme is then demonstrated in an idealized framework and in simulations of salt breezes and lake breezes in northwestern Utah.

To Access Resource:

Questions? Email Resource Support Contact:

  • opensky@ucar.edu
    UCAR/NCAR - Library

Resource Type publication
Temporal Range Begin N/A
Temporal Range End N/A
Temporal Resolution N/A
Bounding Box North Lat N/A
Bounding Box South Lat N/A
Bounding Box West Long N/A
Bounding Box East Long N/A
Spatial Representation N/A
Spatial Resolution N/A
Related Links N/A
Additional Information N/A
Resource Format PDF
Standardized Resource Format PDF
Asset Size N/A
Legal Constraints

Copyright 2007 American Meteorological Society (AMS). Permission to use figures, tables, and brief excerpts from this work in scientific and educational works is hereby granted provided that the source is acknowledged. Any use of material in this work that is determined to be "fair use" under Section 107 or that satisfies the conditions specified in Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law (17 USC, as revised by P.L. 94-553) does not require the Society's permission. Republication, systematic reproduction, posting in electronic form on servers, or other uses of this material, except as exempted by the above statements, requires written permission or license from the AMS. Additional details are provided in the AMS Copyright Policies, available from the AMS at 617-227-2425 or amspubs@ametsoc.org. Permission to place a copy of this work on this server has been provided by the AMS. The AMS does not guarantee that the copy provided here is an accurate copy of the published work.
Access Constraints None
Software Implementation Language N/A

Resource Support Name N/A
Resource Support Email opensky@ucar.edu
Resource Support Organization UCAR/NCAR - Library
Distributor N/A
Metadata Contact Name N/A
Metadata Contact Email opensky@ucar.edu
Metadata Contact Organization UCAR/NCAR - Library

Author Knievel, Jason
Bryan, George
Hacker, Joshua
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2007-11-01T00:00:00
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Not Assigned
Alternate Identifier N/A
Resource Version N/A
Topic Category geoscientificInformation
Progress N/A
Metadata Date 2023-08-18T19:05:41.574370
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:17431
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Knievel, Jason, Bryan, George, Hacker, Joshua. (2007). Explicit numerical diffusion in the WRF model. UCAR/NCAR - Library. http://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d75140h8. Accessed 17 March 2025.

Harvest Source