A Cold-Bias Problem over Lowland Snow Using the NOAH-MP LSM: Demonstration of the Problem and Possible Solutions

C. Mass and D. Ovens, U. of Washington

The University of Washington real-time regional prediction system has run using WRF for several decades, with the NOAH-MP land surface model (LSM) applied for several years. A frequently noted problem using NOAH-MP is a serious surface air temperature cold bias that develops when lowland areas are snow covered. This talk will describe this problem in NOAA-MP, compares the results in other available LSMs, and then review several options in WRF physics that can partially mitigate the problem in NOAH-MP.