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Computing Refractive Index Structure Parameter C n 2 in a Numerical Weather Prediction Model
Author(s) -
Wang Shouping,
Wang Qing,
Wauer Benjamin J.,
Jiang Qingfang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2020gl089168
Subject(s) - mesoscale meteorology , closure (psychology) , numerical weather prediction , turbulence , meteorology , boundary layer , planetary boundary layer , convective boundary layer , large eddy simulation , physics , convection , scaling , atmospheric model , computational physics , statistical physics , mechanics , mathematics , geometry , economics , market economy
The refractive index structure parameter C n 2 provides crucial information regarding turbulent effects on electromagnetic wave propagation. We propose to use second‐order turbulence closure techniques to predict C n 2 based on boundary layer parameterizations in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. This predictive approach provides additional degrees of freedom for improving C n 2 simulations. The model is evaluated using a single‐column version of Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System in a case study of convective boundary layer over the ocean. The predicted C n 2 is generally consistent with results from large‐eddy simulations, well‐known scaling theories, and limited surface layer observations. This study offers a general approach for computing C n 2 for the entire boundary layer and various turbulence regimes in an NWP model.