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Atmospheric processes
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Atmospheric processes research involves observational campaigns,
numerical modelling and theoretical studies with the ultimate aim
of improving the representation of physical processes which cannot
be represented explicitly in low resolution forecast or climate
models. This work is carried out by the Atmospheric Processes Research (APR)
Branch at the Met Office.
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The observational work centres around two groups; the Meteorological
Research Flight (MRF) based at Farnborough and a group based at
Cardington. Until 2001, MRF operated the instrumented C-130
aircraft shown in the photograph below. Although the aircraft is no
longer flown, analysis of data collected from the many campaigns
that were undertaken over the years will continue for several years.
A new aircraft, a BAeS 146, is currently being equipped and will
commence flying next year. This aircraft will be operated in
conjunction with the National Environmental Research Council.
The group at Cardington use a whole range of surface instrumentation and
sometimes use a tethered kite balloon, also shown below.
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C-130 aircraft
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Tethered kite balloon
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Apart from maintenance of these facilities, scientists at
Farnborough and Cardington work in the following areas:
- Cloud physics
- Radiative transfer
- Remote sensing
- Tropospheric chemistry (exclusively through UK and EU collaborations)
- Boundary Layer
APR research groups at the Met Office HQ in Bracknell include:
The main modelling tool is based on large eddy simulation (LES)
of flows down to turbulent scales. This relatively high-resolution
model is developed for specific problems and validated using observational
data. It then provides a means to develop techniques ("parametrizations")
to enable low-resolution models to treat the physics of particular
processes in a realistic manner. The Convection
group describe their work using this model and show an animation
produced by the LES.
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The following are links related to the work of APR:
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