Atmospheric Modelling - Aktis Hydraulics

Weather modelling with WRF

The WRF model (weather research and forecasting) is a detailed 3-D model of the weather that represents wind speed, pressure, density, temperature and humidity at different levels. Input to the model include initial fields of these parameters from a global database (e.g. the CFSR database of global weather on a 30’ grid); the same data on the boundaries of the model throughout the simulation period; data on vegetation, land roughness and thermal capacity; data on input of solar energy.

Aktis usually constructs initial model on a resolution of 27 km with 36 atmospheric layers, refining this in nested areas by a factor 3 in the horizontal dimensions until the required resolution is achieved. (usually 3km or even 1 km). The maximum allowable time-step also decreases with model resolution.

Aktis is experienced at applying the model and making comparisons with local measurements to ensure that the results are sensible.

This animation presents the wind streamlines of WRF results for ambient conditions near Cote d’Azur, France. It emphasizes the effect of the terrain on the local wind flow.

Aktis has applied WRF to:

Simulate tropical cyclones and determine the effect of land roughness on the corresponding surface winds (U10);
Obtain design wind speeds in a Fjord (and hindcast the corresponding waves using SWAN);
Obtain the ground temperature along a pipeline route and using a local model of the temperature profile in the ground compute the design low temperature for a pipeline;
Obtain the wind speeds in an extensive sand dune area as part of a project to predict sand dune movement;
Show the effect of orographic effects on the wave conditions in a long narrow sea basin;
Establish temperature and humidity statistics on a tropical island to assess whether these were acceptable for working in.
Hindcasting the daily and extreme wind speeds at LNG terminals situated at the foot of high mountains in areas where violent cold downdraughts occur;
Producing design temperature, humidity and precipitation in tropical areas;

Weather modelling with WRF

Example projects:

Design wind and wave conditions for Kitimat

Extreme conditions for South Korean Ship Yard

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