A sensitivity study of Surface Wind simulations over Coastal Ghana to selected Time Control and Nudging options in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model

Heliyon

卷:5

Muyiwa S. Adaramola¹  Akwasi A. Acheampong²  Joshua Ampofo³  Denis E.K. Dzebre⁴ 

[1] Corresponding author.;

[2] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;

[3] The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;

[4] Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway;

关键词: Atmospheric science;    Environmental science;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Over the years, the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) has been gaining popularity as a low-cost alternative source of data for wind resource assessments. This paper investigates the impact of selected time control, and nudging options on wind simulations in WRF. We conducted 15 numerical experiments, combining 5 simulation run-times and 3 options for disabling nudging in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) in WRF. Hourly wind speed and direction predictions were compared with actual measurements at 40 m, 50 m and 60 m a.g.l. From our results, we recommend that, for optimum performance, the method of disabling nudging in the PBL should be chosen with simulation run times in mind. For wind simulations in our study area, up to 2 days run-times with nudging disabled below 1600 m in model configurations gives the best wind speed predictions. However, disabling nudging below the model-calculated PBL height offers more consistent results and produces relatively less prediction error with longer run times.

【 授权许可】

Unknown