Institute of Atmospheric Physics (of the Chinese Academy of Sciences): Model IAP IAP-2L (4x5 L2) 1993


AMIP Representative(s)

Dr. Qing-cun Zeng, Laboratory of Numerical Modelling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2718, Beijing 100080, China; Phone: +86-1-2562347; Fax: +86-1-2562347

Model Designation

IAP IAP-2L (4x5 L2) 1993

Model Lineage

The IAP model consists of a special dynamical framework developed by Zeng and Zhang (1987) [1] and Zeng et al. (1987) [2] combined with physics similar to that of the Oregon State University model described by Ghan et al. (1982) [3].

Model Documentation

The principal documentation of the IAP model is provided by Zeng et al. (1989) [4].

Numerical/Computational Properties

Horizontal Representation

The available-energy conserving, finite-difference scheme of Zeng and Zhang (1982) [5] and Zeng et al. (1987) [2] is applied on a staggered C-grid (cf. Arakawa and Lamb 1977) [6].

Horizontal Resolution

4 x 5-degree latitude-longitude grid.

Vertical Domain

Surface to 200 hPa for dynamics (with the highest prognostic level at 400 hPa). For a surface pressure of 1000 hPa, the first atmospheric level is at 800 hPa. See also Vertical Representation and Vertical Resolution.

Vertical Representation

Finite differences in modified sigma coordinates: sigma = (P - PT)/(PS - PT), where P is atmospheric pressure, PT is 200 hPa (the dynamical top of the model), and PS is the surface pressure.

Vertical Resolution

There are two equally spaced, modified sigma levels (see Vertical Representation). For a surface pressure of 1000 hPa, these are at 800 hPa and 400 hPa (with the dynamical top at 200 hPa).

Computer/Operating System

The AMIP simulation was run on a Convex-C120 computer using a single processor.

Computational Performance

For the AMIP experiment, about 5 minutes of Convex-C120 time per simulated day.

Initialization

For the AMIP experiment, the initial conditions for the atmosphere, soil moisture, and snow cover/depth are obtained from a model simulation of perpetual January using the AMIP-prescribed ocean temperatures and sea ice extents for 1 January 1979. See also Ocean and Sea Ice.

Time Integration Scheme(s)

The model uses a leapfrog scheme, followed by time filtering to damp the computational mode (cf. Robert 1966) [7]. The pressure gradient force terms are also smoothed (cf. Schuman 1971) [8] to permit use of a longer time step, which is 6 minutes for dynamics, 30 minutes for diffusion, and 1 hour for physics (including radiation). The vertical flux of atmospheric moisture is also computed hourly, and it is recomputed if conditional instability of a computational kind occurs (cf. Arakawa 1972) [9], as evidenced by relative humidities in excess of 100 percent.

Smoothing/Filling

Sampling Frequency

For the AMIP simulation, the model history is written every 6 hours.

Dynamical/Physical Properties

Atmospheric Dynamics

Primitive-equations dynamics are expressed in terms of wind velocity, temperature, specific humidity, and a pressure parameter (PS-PT), where PS is the surface pressure and PT is 200 hPa, the pressure of the dynamical top of the model (see Vertical Representation). The dynamical framework utilizes perturbations from the temperature, geopotential, and surface pressure of the model's standard atmosphere (cf. Zeng 1979 [14], Zeng et al. 1987 [2], and Zeng et al. 1989 [4]).

Diffusion

Gravity-wave Drag

Gravity-wave drag is not modeled.

Solar Constant/Cycles

The solar constant is the AMIP-prescribed value of 1365 W/(m^2). Both seasonal and diurnal cycles in solar forcing are simulated.

Chemistry

The carbon dioxide concentration is the AMIP-prescribed value of 345 ppm. Above 200 hPa (the model dynamical top), a vertically integrated zonal ozone profile is specified from data of Dütsch (1971) [17], and is updated daily by linear interpolation between the 15th day of consecutive months. The radiative effects of water vapor, but not of aerosols, are also included (see Radiation).

Radiation

Convection

Cloud Formation

Precipitation

Planetary Boundary Layer

The PBL is parameterized as a constant flux surface layer of indefinite thickness (see Surface Fluxes). Its temperature and humidity are modified by shallow and penetrative convection (see Convection), with new values computed assuming conservation of moist static energy in the vertical.

Orography

The model's orography is determined by area-averaging the 1 x 1-degree topographic data of Gates and Nelson (1975) [26] within each 4 x 5-degree grid box. A 9-point smoothing of orography on neighboring model grid squares is also performed.

Ocean

AMIP monthly sea surface temperatures are prescribed, with intermediate daily values determined by linear interpolation.

Sea Ice

AMIP monthly sea ice extents are prescribed. The surface temperature of the ice is determined from a budget equation that includes the surface heat fluxes (see Surface Fluxes) plus conduction heating from the ocean below the ice. This subsurface flux is a function of the heat conductivity and thickness (a constant 3 m) of the ice, and of the difference between the predicted ice temperature and that prescribed (271.5 K) for the ocean below. Snow is allowed to accumulate on sea ice (see Snow Cover), and melts if the ice surface temperature is >0 degrees C.

Snow Cover

Precipitation falls as snow if the surface air temperature is <0 degrees C. The snow mass is determined from a budget equation that includes the rates of snow accumulation, melting, and sublimation. Snowmelt (which contributes to soil moisture--see Land Surface Processes) is computed from the difference between the downward heat fluxes at the surface and the upward heat fluxes that would occur for a surface temperature equal to the melting temperature of ice (0 degrees C). (For snow on sea ice, the conduction heat flux from the ocean below also contributes to snowmelt--see Sea Ice.) The sublimation rate is set equal to the surface evaporative flux (see Surface Fluxes) unless all the snow mass is removed in less than one hour; in this case, sublimation is equated to the rate of snow mass removal. Cf. Zeng et al. (1989) for further details.

Surface Characteristics

Surface Fluxes

Land Surface Processes

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Last update April 19, 1996. For further information, contact: Tom Phillips ( phillips@tworks.llnl.gov )

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