Python-Based Modification of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model Geography Input Grid

The presence of the Great Lakes has a considerable impact on the weather of the surrounding region. There are many instances when researchers desire to isolate the amount of influence that the lakes may have on a certain case study. The primary way to accomplish this would be to remove or modify the lake(s) in a numerical simulation. However, the process to do so is not simple, and as far as the authors can tell, a documented method does not currently exist. This study creates and documents an end-to-end python-based method for modifying water features to test alternate scenarios in the Weather Research and Forecasting model geography input grid. Additionally, this method will be tested on a convective case study from 28 July 2006 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to isolate the effects of the lake breeze during convective initiation.