1. Discretizing the Sphere for Multi-Scale Air Quality Simulations using Variable-Resolution Finite-Volume Techniques Martin J. Otte U.S. EPA Robert Walko University of Miami

2. The Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Model (OLAM) 1. 1.OLAM is based partly on RAMS, a limited area model specializing in mesoscale and cloud scale simulations 2. 2.The primary motivation for OLAM was to provide a global modeling framework similar to RAMS in the following aspects: Arakawa-C grid stagger Mass- and momentum-conserving finite-volume discretization Compressible equations with time-split solver Local mesh refinement Horizontal terrain-intersecting grid levels (an option in RAMS) Same physical parameterizations (microphysics, land, etc.) 3. 3.Other aspects of RAMS were abandoned: Boussinesq  Full Navier Stokes Polar stereographic projection  No projection Squares  Triangles 4. A new dynamic core was developed to meet these requirements

3. Most common grid cell arrangement for global models: Spherical coordinate system: latitude, longitude, height Convenient: Grid is logically structured  Global spectral model grid  Packs gridpoints near poles  No nesting capabilites

4. Polar stereographic projection used in RAMS: Earth surface to planar surface Map factors are used in all horizontal derivative terms Spherical geometry terms must be added due to transformation Limited to hemispheric or smaller model domain. P..

5. Global RAMS 1997: “Chimera Grid” approach Lateral boundary values interpolated from interior of opposite grid Not flux conservative

6. Global grid structure in OLAM version 1 Arakawa-C grid stagger in both square and triangular cells

7. The Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Model (OLAM): An expansion of RAMS into an Earth System Model OLAM solves a finite-volume analog of the full compressible Navier- Stokes equations in conservation form, and exactly conserves mass, momentum, and internal energy. Icosahedron Unstructured Grid; No overlapping grid cell; No special nest communication; Each cell communicates directly with its neighbor independently of resolution

8. Finite volume form: A 1 2 A Vol 2 u u 1 2 1 2 3 Finite difference form: uu 12 1 2 3

9. Vertical ADaptive APerture (ADAP) Grid

10. OLAM uses the Arakawa-C grid stagger Control volumes for T, U, W T U W

11. Large Eddy Simulation of Convective Boundary Layer

12. Grid Nesting Example: Hurricane Wilma 8 km nest

13. Hurricane Wilma observed Examine passage through 4 km nest 8km run 4km nest

14. n The Andes mountains: n -- length of 7000 km n -- average height of 4 km n -- typical width of 200-300 km The Representation of Topography in GCMs

15. Amazon Basin Precipitation Results (15S – 5N; 75W – 50W) Improving representation of topography improves OLAM’s precipitation estimates OLAM 200 km OLAM 100 km OLAM 25 km El Nino year Higher resolution gives correct ENSO behavior Coarse GCMs do not capture the minimum during El Nino years (Medvigy et al., 2009, GRL)

16. Impact of Andes on global hydroclimate interannual variability 1998 Anomaly, precipitation [mm] 25 km topography 200 km topography ENSO 400 km topography50 km topography Spurious large Amazon convection realistic low Amazon convection Different Walker/Hadley cells? n More drought in Pacific Northwest n More drought in Australia n Weaker North Atlantic storm tracks (Medvigy et al., 2009, GRL)

17. Summary n OLAM has been developed as the advancement of current regional forecast models to global environmental modeling n The current grid structure is capable of representing atmospheric processes from global to turbulent timescales n Todo: l Integrated ocean model (ROMS) l Thermodynamic variable (enthalpy, total energy) l Hydraulic model for proper runoff modeling l Atmospheric chemistry transport and feedbacks using CMAQ and RRTMg