Effect of Reduced Diffusion on Surface Wind and Wave Fields

Abstract

Horizontal diffusion is used in meteorological models to reduce noise in the shorter spatial scales and to increase numerical stability. In turn, this affects the surface wind distribution. A series of tests on real situations in the Mediterranean Sea has been done to explore the practical consequences on wind and wave fields. The results indicate a substantial reduction of the peak values, particularly in areas with strong spatial gradients, and a general smoothing of the fields, more evident where these are dominated by the local orography.