Applying simulated satellite pictures based on a sub-kilometre scale numerical weather prediction model to gain insights into the formation mechanism of quasi-2 dimensional cloud features

Abstract

A sub-kilometer resolution implementation of the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model (at horizontal grid spacing of 600 m) is used to generate simulated cloud images, which are then compared with actual observations by the Himawari-8 satellite. Selected cases of formation of quasi-2 dimensional cloud features are considered, including convective roll, sea breeze front and lower boundary layer convergence in northeast monsoon, where the high-resolution model runs are found to reproduce the corresponding cloud patterns. Model fields are then analysed to study the meteorological phenomena associated with the cloud lines in more detail. They are found to provide some interesting information about the formation mechanism of the cloud features. This points to the usefulness of generating simulated satellite images based on the numerical model.