The ANMRC Limited-Area Model: Consolidated Formulation and Operational Results

Abstract

The most recent version of the Australian Numerical Meteorology Research Centre limited-area primitive equations model is described in this paper. A staggered grid system has been introduced, the semi-implicit equations have been transformed with temperature as the primary variable, and an Arakawa-Schubert-type cumulus convection scheme included. The model has been assessed, both objectively and subjectively, in a day-to-day operational trial for the Australian region extending over a period of four months. By comparison with the operational filtered equations model, the new model is found to be superior especially for tropospheric predictions. As a result of this trial, the model has been accepted as the new regional operational model by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and was implemented during September 1977.