Use of Research Aircraft Data to Validate Mesoscale Model Forecasts

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

A NSF funded Student Training in Airborne Research and Technology (START) two-week deployment of the University of Wyoming King Air (UWKA) research aircraft was conducted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott, Arizona during late March and early April 2014. Some of the goals of this program were to build knowledge on airborne atmospheric research for undergraduate students across multiple departments and to collect a valuable set of aircraft data for atmospheric model validation. Data collection for 10 research flights is available for mesoscale model case study validation. This project utilizes the Weather Research and Forecasting mesoscale model (WRF), version 3.6.1 Advanced Research WRF (ARW) to simulate the general features of the boundary layer thermodynamic profiles, winds and cloud structure prior to and during the days of selected research flights. Data assimilation and two-way nesting procedures are executed. A fine-grid resolution used for this study is 10 km, while the coarse grid resolution is 30 km. This study investigates case studies of cross-wind and cloud microphysical conditions which limit ERAU pilot training operations, and provide insight on the potential value of implementing the WRF model at ERAU with specialized forecast products that support the ERAU pilot training program.

Authors

• Swaggerty, Travis Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Wetzel, Melanie Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Ivanova, Dorothea Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• Atmospheric Sciences
• Education