Parameterization Schemes: Keys to Understanding Numerical Weather Prediction Models

by David J. Stensrud

Overview

Numerical weather prediction models play an increasingly important role in meteorology, both in short- and medium-range forecasting and global climate change studies. The most important components of any numerical weather prediction model are the subgrid-scale parameterization schemes, and the analysis and understanding of these schemes is a key aspect of numerical weather prediction. This book provides in-depth explorations of the most commonly used types of parameterization schemes that influence both short-range weather forecasts and global climate models. Several parameterizations are summarised and compared, followed by a discussion of their limitations. Review questions at the end of each chapter enable readers to monitor their understanding of the topics covered, and solutions are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521865401. This will be an essential reference for academic researchers, meteorologists, weather forecasters, and graduate students interested in numerical weather prediction and its use in weather forecasting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521126762
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/03/2009
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

David Stensrud is a Research Meteorologist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Norman, Oklahoma. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma and was Editor or Joint Chief Editor for Weather and Forecasting, a professional journal of the American Meteorological Society, from 1999-2006.

Table of Contents

Preface; List of principal symbols and abbreviations; 1. Why study parameterization schemes?; 2. Land surface-atmosphere parameterizations; 3. Soil-vegetation-atmosphere parameterizations; 4. Water-atmosphere parameterizations; 5. Planetary boundary layer and turbulence parameterizations; 6. Convective parameterizations; 7. Microphysics parameterizations; 8. Radiation parameterizations; 9. Cloud cover and cloudy sky radiation parameterizations; 10. Orographic drag parameterizations; 11. Thoughts on the future; 12. References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"While I enthusiastically recommend Stensrud's book as a text for use in courses related to atmospheric physics and numerical modeling, I also believe that this book will quickly become the 'go-to' reference for those involved in NWP-related research and applications, as it is the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference of the disparate physical processes that are currently included in sophisticated numerical weather prediction models. I commend Stensrud's efforts in bringing all of this varied information together in writing this book." - Michael Baldwin, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

"This is the first book to provide in-depth explorations of the most commonly used types of parameterization schemes that influence both short-range weather forecasts and global climate models." -Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

From the Publisher