On-line chemistry within WRF: Description and evaluation of a state-of-the-art multiscale air quality and weather prediction model

Abstract

In this chapter we describe the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model as it is coupled to online chemistry. This model now includes many atmospheric chemistry routines covering biogenic emissions, deposition, photolysis, chemical mechanisms. In addition, several atmospheric aerosol routines and a biomass burning model were added to WRF. The chemistry and aerosol routines are solved in an online fashion with the meteorology forecast model. In other words, the interaction and transport of meteorological, chemical, and aerosol species are calculated using the same physical parameterizations with no need to interpolate in time and/or space. Interactions include the aerosol direct and indirect effect. This chapter gives an overview of some of the most important features of this modeling system. Some evaluation results are also discussed. © 2011 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.