AMIP Model Features

A list of feature categories considered in the AMIP model summary documentation. The representation of these features is summarized for each AMIP model.

• AMIP representative(s)

• Model designation (following the WGNE-recommended form: institution,model and version, horizontal/vertical resolution)

• Model lineage (predecessor and related models)

• Model documentation (key references)

• Horizontal representation (spectral or finite differences)

• Horizontal resolution

• Vertical domain (lowest/highest atmospheric levels)

• Vertical representation (coordinates and differencing schemes)

• Vertical resolution

• Computer/operating system (for the AMIP simulation)

• Computational performance (minutes per simulated day)

• Initialization (of atmospheric state, snow cover/depth, and soil moisture)

• Time integration scheme(s)

• Smoothing/filling (types of algorithms used)

• Sampling frequency (AMIP history storage interval)

• Atmospheric dynamics (state variables)

• Diffusion (horizontal and vertical)

• Gravity-wave drag

• Solar constant/cycles (AMIP solar constant, inclusion of diurnal cycle)

• Chemistry (radiatively active gases and aerosols)

• Radiation (shortwave/longwave schemes, cloud-radiative interactions)

• Convection (deep and shallow)

• Cloud formation (prognostic or diagnostic schemes)

• Precipitation (formation and subsequent evaporation)

• Planetary boundary layer (representation and depth)

• Orography (datasets, smoothing procedures)

• Ocean (treatment for AMIP simulation)

• Sea ice (treatment for AMIP simulation)

• Snow cover (formation/melting, effects on surface characteristics)

• Surface characteristics (surface types, roughness, albedo, emissivity)

• Surface fluxes (momentum, heat, and moisture)

• Land surface processes (vegetation and soil thermodynamics/hydrology)

Last update September 8, 1995. For further information, contact Tom Phillips ( phillips@tworks.llnl.gov)

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