Results from a global non-hydrostatic dynamical core comparison using idealized tests

The NOAA High-Impact Weather Prediction Project is evaluating non-hydrostatic dynamical cores developed in the U.S. for global operational numerical weather prediction applications. Participating models include cubed-sphere grid dynamical cores developed at GFDL and NRL, icosahedral grid cores developed at NOAA/ESRL and NCAR, and a regular lat/lon grid core developed at NOAA/NCEP. Each modelling group has performed integrations for four idealized tests, a baroclinic wave test (which was developed as part of the 2012 Dynamical Core Model Intercomparison (DCMIP) project), a non-hydrostatic orographic mountain wave test on the reduced-radius sphere (based on another DCMIP test), an idealized 3D supercell thunderstorm test on the reduced radius sphere, and the DCMIP tropical cyclone test case. Results from these test will be presented, and lessons learned will be discussed.