Engineering topics

Kalnay, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Kalnay, E..

61 records · Page 4

NASA NTRS1981

A stochastic-dynamic model for global atmospheric mass-field statistics

Global atmospheric mass field error correlations based on satellite observations and on numerical forecasts show strong and systematic latitude dependence. A model for the latitude dependent spatial correlation structure of mass field forecast errors is derived from dynamical considerations. Three methods of solution were tested. In the first method, the equation was solved by expansion in spherical harmonics, and the correlation function was computed analytically using the expansion coefficients. In the second method, the finite difference equivalent of the equation was solved using a fast poisson solver. The correlation function was computed using stratified sampling of the individual realizations. In the third method, a higher order equation was derived, and solved directly in finite differences by two successive applications of the fast poisson solver. The three methods were compared for accuracy and efficiency, and the third method was chosen as clearly superior.

Ghil, M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A simple atmospheric model on the sphere with 100% parallelism

A simple shallow water equations model used to test numerical weather prediction schemes is presented. The spherical geometry is transformed into a formally doubly periodic configuration which can be implemented on a massively parallel computer at 100% parallelism. A nonstaggered grid with all variables defined at the grid points (circles) is used. The parallel structure was simulated by performing step 1 in a FORTRAN array, on an Amdahl serial machine, changing the signs of the winds on the dark side.

Kalnay, E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

On the effect of high latitude filtering in global grid point models

The application of various Fourier filtering techniques in a coarse resolution grid point model and the poor simulation of the nonlinear effects responsible for change in the mean zonal flow is discussed. The poor simulation results in spurious energy and momentum transfers. An operational filter, a second order filter on a staggered grid, a fourth order filter on a nonstaggered grid, and a biharmonic diffusion filter were considered.

Takacs, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A model to determine open or closed cellular convection

A simple mechanism is proposed to explain the observed presence in the atmosphere of open or closed cellular convection. If convection is produced by cooling concentrated near the top of the cloud layer, as in radiative cooling of stratus clouds, it develops strong descending currents which are compensated by weak ascent over most of the horizontal area, and closed cells result. Conversely, heating concentrated near the bottom of a layer, as when an air mass is heated by warm water, results in strong ascending currents compensated by weak descent over most of the area, or open cells. This mechanism is similar to the one suggested by Stommel (1962) to explain the smallness of the oceans' sinking regions. The mechanism is studied numerically by means of a two-dimensional, nonlinear Boussinesq model.

Helfand, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Large amplitude stationary Rossby waves in the Southern Hemisphere

Observational evidence of the characteristics of the large amplitude, short wavelength stationary waves found in the lee of South America and Australia during the complete first special observing period of the first GARP global experiment is presented. The structure and evolution of the waves are described and their possible origin discussed.

Kalnay, E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The role of zonally asymmetric heating in the vertical and temporal structure of the global scale flow fields during FGGE SOP-1

The global scale structure of atmospheric flow is best documented on time scales longer than a few days. Theoretical and observational studies of ultralong waves have emphasized forcing due to global scale variations of topography and surface heat flux, possibly interacting with baroclinically unstable or vertically refracting basic flows. Analyses of SOP-1 data in terms of global scale spherical harmonics is documented with emphasis upon weekly transitions.

Paegle, J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Large amplitude stationary Rossby waves in the Southern Hemisphere

Large Amplitude stationary waves downstream of South America, and in the lee of Australia were investigated using Tiros N photographs. These waves appear to be Rossby lee waves associated with anomalous poleward flow over the Andes and by continental heating over Australia. The waves have a maximum amplitude near 300 mb between 20 and 40 deg S and correlate well with observed precipitation bands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The orientation of these waves is such that they transfer zonal momentum to the roaring forties latitudes. Stationary Rossby waves, in the Northern Hemisphere, have a characteristic wavelength of the order of 120 deg longitude. In January the observed stationary wavelengths have a wavelength of less than 60 deg longitude with an amplitude in the upper tropospheric meridional wind of more than 15 m sec E-1.

Kalnay, E.↗