Adapting WRF-CHEM GOCART for fine-scale dust forecasting

Dust storms create hazardous conditions, and the physical processes governing the emission and transport of mineral dust particles are complex and difficult to model. Researchers at the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) are developing a suite of mesoscale and convective-scale dust forecasting products using the Weather Research and Forecasting – Chemistry (WRF-CHEM) model coupled with the Global Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) dust model. Because GOCART was originally designed for the global scale, several model parameterizations must be addressed before it can be used on the fine-scale. A brief survey of current and future research by AFWA and affiliates to better capture the physical processes affecting dust transport in WRF-CHEM GOCART is provided. These alterations include changes to the model's saltation algorithm, the influence of soil moisture on the dust emission process, new techniques for classifying dust source regions, and the incorporation of ensemble techniques to address model uncertainties.