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Assimilating QuikSCAT Ocean Surface Winds with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model for Surface Wind-Field Simulation over the Chukchi/Beaufort Seas |
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| Authors: | Xingang Fan Jeremy R Krieger Jing Zhang Xiangdong Zhang |
| Institution: | 1. Meteorology Program, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd., #31066, Bowling Green, KY, 42101-1066, USA 2. Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA 3. Departments of Physics and Energy and Environmental Systems, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA 4. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA |
| Abstract: | To achieve a high-quality simulation of the surface wind field in the Chukchi/Beaufort Sea region, quick scatterometer (QuikSCAT) ocean surface winds were assimilated into the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting model by using its three-dimensional variational data assimilation system. The SeaWinds instrument on board the polar-orbiting QuikSCAT satellite is a specialized radar that measures ice-free ocean surface wind speed and direction at a horizontal resolution of 12.5 km. A total of eight assimilation case studies over two five-day periods, 1–5 October 2002 and 20–24 September 2004, were performed. The simulation results with and without the assimilation of QuikSCAT winds were then compared with QuikSCAT data available during the subsequent free-forecast period, coastal station observations, and North American Regional Reanalysis data. It was found that QuikSCAT winds are a potentially valuable resource for improving the simulation of ocean near-surface winds in the Chukchi/Beaufort Seas region. Specifically, the assimilation of QuikSCAT winds improved, (1) offshore surface winds as compared to unassimilated QuikSCAT winds, (2) sea-level pressure, planetary boundary-layer height, as well as surface heat fluxes, and (3) low-level wind fields and geopotential height. Verification against QuikSCAT data also demonstrated the temporal consistency and good quality of QuikSCAT observations. |
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