Modification Tests for the Coefficient of Turbulent Mixing Length Scale in QNSE Scheme in the WRF Model

Appropriate description of turbulence in PBL (planetary boundary layer) is essential for numerical weather prediction and simulation. Proper treatment of turbulence may have an important influence on the simulation of meteorological fields, such as temperature, moisture, wind speed and precipitation. Heavy rainfall event is frequent in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and it is necessary to obtain a suitable PBL scheme for this region due to its dense habitability. In this study, based on the QNSE (Quasi-Normal Scale Elimination) planetary boundary layer scheme in the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) Model, the coefficients of the TLS (turbulent mixing length scale) in the Mellor-Yamada formulation were modified to be varying based on the application of the Prandtl formula. The MCTLS (modified coefficients of TLS) are dependent on the PBL height and surface stability, and a nonlocal term was imposed on MCTLS, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive impacts of the atmospheric dynamic and thermal structures on turbulent mixing. WRF model simulations using the original PBL scheme and the PBL scheme with the MCTLS were conducted over the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and results were compared to measurements. Improvements in the near-surface temperature, the planetary boundary layer structure and the rainfall simulations have been found. More specifically, the simulations with the MCTLS were shown to alleviate biases in the potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio by altering turbulent mixing.