Studying aerosol-cloud interaction by solution adaptive modeling technique

Poster PDF

Description

Solution adaptive numerical modeling using unstructured grid techniques is a relatively new concept for atmospheric modelers and will be discussed in this talk. Adaptive unstructured grids facilitate the use of very high resolutions only where needed by the evolving numerical solution. The rationale for using adaptive unstructured grid technique is that there is general consensus that the atmospheric processes at all relevant scales together is an intractable problem. One obvious method to improve the prediction of numerical models is to enhance the spatial grid resolution. However, introducing fine spatial resolution throughout a simulation domain is not always practical since the size of the modeling domain, the numerous interactions between the various atmospheric processes that span a multitude of spatial and temporal scales, and the complexity of the numerical algorithms place restrictions on the grid resolution that can be achieved using current computers. These limitations prohibit the use of a uniform high spatial grid resolution that is appropriate to resolve the smallest scales of interest. One alternative is to develop methodologies capable of providing local refinement in certain key regions where a high degree of resolution is required, such as shorelines and areas of large terrain gradients (i.e., static grid adaptation). In addition, solution-adaptive simulations can be run to improve the solution by dynamically adapting the mesh to physical features, such as clouds and aerosols (i.e., dynamic grid adaptation).