Simulation of Mesoscale Convective System Propagation in Greater Jakarta during 13 - 19 January 2014

Abstract

The simulation of the mesoscale convection system (MCS) during the 13 - 19 January 2014 was conducted for Greater Jakarta (GJ) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. In this study, WRF simulations were carried out for different sizes of urban and built-up area, which in the experiment (SCE) wider than the standard (CTL) simulations. The results of the two WRF simulations are evaluated against the surface observations. The comparison of the measured wind speed and direction in the GJ area shows a reasonable result between observed and simulated data. The results showed a consistent significant contribution of urban and built-up development to wind speed. The significantly increasing wind speed was up to 3 ms-1. There is no persistent variation in the wind speed and direction of each station. Simulations suggest that the new urban developments caused an intensification and expansion of MCS propagation. The SCE simulation provided a stronger convective cloud system that spreads from south to north.