Semi-Lagrangian advection scheme with controlled damping: An alternative to nonlinear horizontal diffusion in a numerical weather prediction model

Abstract : This paper proposes a nonlinear horizontal diffusion scheme for models using semi-Lagrangian formulations. The scheme is made flow dependent and not entirely linked to the model levels. As an extension, the implementation of the scheme to the model Aladin is given. The damping abilities of interpolation are used for the diffusion filtering. The aim is to provide a horizontal diffusion scheme of similar stability and computational efficiency as the existing linear spectral diffusion scheme in Aladin. Preserving such qualities, the new scheme brings beneficial new skills to the model. The differences between the performances of the two diffusion schemes are examined and discussed. Finally, some interesting case-studies simulated with both horizontal diffusion schemes are presented.Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society