SBARG Real-Time Model Information

MM5 Model

The PSU/NCAR MM5-V3 model is a non-hydrostatic mesoscale model in sigma vertical coordinates. Additional information about the model can be viewed at the MM5 home page. Initial and boundary conditions are created with forecasts from the Eta-National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Currently, four model runs per day are performed for California (NCEP Eta 00Z and 12Z initializations for northern and southern domains). Both configurations have three nested grids of  36 km, 12 km and 4 km grid spacing and 38 sigma vertical levels. More information about the horizontal area covered by both configurations can be viewed here:

    Configuration 1: 4 km grid centered over southern California

    Configuration 2: 4 km grid centered over northern California    Forecasts for northern California are no longer performed

Physical parameterizations used are:

• Schultz (1995) microphysics scheme, which account for ice and graupel/hail processes

• Kain-Fritsch cumulus parameterization in the outermost two grids (36 km and 12 km)

• Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM)

• MRF planetary boundary layer used in the NCEP MRF model (Hong and Pan 1996)

• Noah land-surface scheme

Send mail to cjones@icess.ucsb.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 11/22/04