2.6
On developing a whole atmosphere community climate model (WACCM) for studying solar-terrestrial relationships
Raymond G. Roble, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and R. R. Garcia, B. Boville, F. Sassi, D. Kinnison, D. Marsh, A. D. Richmond, H. Liu, and M. E. Hagan
A Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) has been under development at NCAR over the last two years. The scientific goal is to develop a unified General Circulation Model that can be used for studies of climate and solar-terrestrial interactions, including possible coupling between the troposphere and the middle and upper atmosphere. Currently the model extends from the ground to about 150 km and includes interactive coupled chemistry and dynamics. Eventually the model will extend to about 500 km, and will include neutral and ion physics, chemistry and electrodynamics for the thermosphere and ionosphere. To date, the model has been used to investigate several scientific problems, including tidal excitation and propagation to the lower thermosphere, sea surface temperature influences on upper atmosphere structure and dynamics, ozone chemistry/dynamic interactions, water vapor transport and a number of other processes that reflect interactions between the lower and upper atmosphere. A review of the results from a few of these studies as well as plans for future model development will be presented. The potential of the model for space weather studies will also be discussed. .
Session 2, Connections with Meteorology, Data Assimilation and User Needs (Room 617)
Tuesday, 13 January 2004, 1:45 PM-5:30 PM, Room 617
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