Evaluation of idealized large-eddy simulations performed with the Weather Research and Forecasting model using turbulence measurements from a 250 m meteorological mast

Abstract. We investigate the ability of Weather Research and Forecasting model to perform large-eddy simulation canonical flows. This is achieved through comparison outputs with measurements from sonic anemometers on a 250 m meteorological mast located at Østerild, in northern Denmark. Østerild flat rough area, for predominant wind directions, atmospheric flow can be considered close homogeneous. The idealized simulated flows aim representing boundary layer turbulence under unstable, neutral, stable stability conditions surface, which are statistically significant observed Østerild. found that resolved fields simulations appear have characteristics three regimes. Vertical profiles mean speeds direction well reproduced by simulations, largest differences near-neutral conditions, where effect subgrid-scale evident vertical shear surface. eddy fluxes also velocity component variances although nearly always within variability. With regards turbulent kinetic energy, we find good agreement between observations all levels. Simulated spectra match very show similar behavior height low-frequency interval; effective resolution, typical drop-off finite differences. Our findings demonstrate these reproduce regimes often high site sector, air over homogeneous land.