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 "CONSTRVARANA" VAP Process

Instrument Categories: Derived Quantities and Models

Description: Constrained Variational Analysis

The Constrained Variational Analysis (CONSTRVARANA or VarAna) VAP has been developed to create large advecting scale forcing data sets derived from ARM observational data. These data sets can be used to drive Single Column and Cloud Resolving Models (SCMs and CRMs). The VarAna VAP is based on the constrained variational analysis method developed by Zhang and Lin (1997). The operational objective analysis system is used to process the data collected from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) field experiments during Single-Column Model (SCM) Intensive Operational Periods (IOPs) and from continuous measurements at Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. The derived large-scale forcing and diagnostic variables from the analysis system can be used for driving and evaluating SCMs and CRMs. Given the inevitable uncertainties in the original data, the basic idea in this objective analysis approach is to adjust these atmospheric state variables by the smallest possible amount to conserve column-integrated mass, moisture, static energy, and momentum. More detailed description can be found in Zhang at al. (2001a, b) and Zhang and Lin (1997).

For more details, see http://science.arm.gov/vaps/varana.stm.

Primary Measurements

The following measurements are those considered scientifically relevant. Refer to the datastream (netcdf) file headers for the list of all available measurements, including those recorded for diagnostic or quality assurance purposes.