Short-term fine resolution WRF forecast data validation in complex terrain in Slovenia

Abstract

For the air pollution modelling studies over highly complex terrain, vertical wind profiles are essential. In the article we present evaluation about using the WRF model as the source of wind profile information. We tested WRF’s one day short-term forecasts at 4 km and half hour resolution running every day to obtain 3D meteorological fields and compared these data with the different meteorological stations. The results show an inadequate agreement with ground level meteorological stations, especially in basins and valleys, and a better agreement with stations situated at the top of hills and with a tower station. A novel approach to the terrain complexity characterisation of the area under examination is defined – ‘height and length of Topographic complexity, hlTc’.