Input SST Data into the Model

The WRF model physics do not predict sea-surface temperature, vegetation fraction, albedo or sea ice. For long simulations, the model provides an alternative to read-in the time-varying data and update these fields (the sst_update option). In order to use this option, one must have access to time-varying SST and sea ice fields. Twelve monthly values of vegetation fraction and albedo are available from the geogrid program. Once these fields are processed via WPS, one may activate the sst_update option within the namelist.input file.

For these runs we will use the Hurricane Matthew case data (2016-10-06_00 to 2016-10-08_00).

- If you have not yet worked through the Single Domain Case, do so first.
   (save the geo_em.d01.nc file and unpack all the data including SST during the UNGRIB step).
 
- If you have worked through the Single Domain Case, but did not unpack the SST data at that stage - do so now.

 

SST's are typically added to the model:

a. Use the SST at the initial time as a constant field for all time periods (this is good for short runs, like real-time runs, where SST is not updated during the WRF model run)
b. As an extra input at each model input time (this is good for long -months- model runs)
 

At this stage you should have the following files generated during the Single Domain Case:

a. geo_em.d01.nc (if you do not have this file, first run geogrid.exe for the Single Domain Case)

b. FILE:* intermediate files generated from the GFS input data (if you do not have these files, first run ungrib.exe for the Single Domain Case, and unpack the GFS input data)

c. SST:* intermediate files generated from the SST input data (if you do not have these files, first run ungrib.exe for the Single Domain Case, and unpack the SST input data)

 Once you have all these files, you are ready to proceed.

Now interpolate the input data onto our model domain (initial time only)

Now interpolate the input data onto our model domain (using multiple input times)