The Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS 5.2): an integrated environmental model tuned for tropical areas

Abstract

Abstract. We present a new version of the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System where different previous versions for weather, chemistry and carbon cycle were unified in a single integrated software system. The new version also has a new set of state-of-the-art physical parameterizations and greater computational parallel and memory usage efficiency. Together with the description of the main features are examples of the quality of the transport scheme for scalars, radiative fluxes on surface and model simulation of rainfall systems over South America in different spatial resolutions using a scale-aware convective parameterization. Besides, the simulation of the diurnal cycle of the convection and carbon dioxide concentration over the Amazon Basin, as well as carbon dioxide fluxes from biogenic processes over a large portion of South America are shown. Atmospheric chemistry examples present model performance in simulating near-surface carbon monoxide and ozone in Amazon Basin and Rio de Janeiro megacity. For tracer transport and dispersion, it is demonstrated the model capabilities to simulate the volcanic ash 3-d redistribution associated with the eruption of a Chilean volcano. Then, the gain of computational efficiency is described with some details. BRAMS has been applied for research and operational forecasting mainly in South America. Model results from the operational weather forecast of BRAMS on 5 km grid spacing in the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies, INPE/Brazil, since 2013 are used to quantify the model skill of near surface variables and rainfall. The scores show the reliability of BRAMS for the tropical and subtropical areas of South America. Requirements for keeping this modeling system competitive regarding on its functionalities and skills are discussed. At last, we highlight the relevant contribution of this work on the building up of a South American community of model developers.

Modelling the radiative effects of smoke aerosols on carbon fluxes in Amazon

“…Consistently with previous studies (Freitas et al, 2005(Freitas et al, , 2009(Freitas et al, , and 2016Longo et al, 2010Longo et al, , 2013Rosário et al, 2013;Moreira et al, 2013), BRAMS performed well while modeling the meteorology and smoke aerosol emission, transport and removal processes in Amazonia, which has resulted in fairly simulation of the major features of AOD variability associated with the regional smoke plume over South America. The model results for surface temperature, rainfall and AOD were once again in agreement with observations for the 2010 dry season case study, representing the main characteristics of the spatial distribution and the diurnal cycle of temperature and precipitation.…”

Assessment of the weather research and forecasting model generalized parameterization schemes for advancement of precipitation forecasting in monsoon‐driven river basins

“…Therefore, further development of modeling systems that downscale NWP model forecast should be explored for eventual use by operational flood forecasting agencies. Additional numerical models should also be considered, such as Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) [e.g., Freitas et al, 2016]. Use of additional numerical models allows a more robust assessment of forecast skill through multimodel ensembles.…”

Análise de desempenho de um sistema de modelagem atmosférica em nuvens computacionais

“…O BRAMS oferece um modelo especializado na previsão regional de tempo e de clima no Brasil [Freitas et al 2016], diferenciando-se do RAMS sobretudo ao introduzir novas funcionalidades que melhor representam os fenômenos meteorológicos tropicais [Freitas et al 2009]. Do ponto de vista computacional, foram implementadas alterac ¸ões que visaram o paralelismo massivo do modelo.…”