Evaluation of MM5 for simulating radiation and surf ace energy balance parameter observations at Scott Base during 25th to 31 st October 2003

• Main Author: Tisch, Catherine
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: McMurdo Ice Shelf; Scott Base; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14362

Observations were conducted near Scott Base during 2003-2004, with the objective of measuring parameters that may give rise to processes that control meltwater production on the McMurdo Ice Shelf. Observations were then compared with simulations produced by MM5 of the same time period, of which a portion was described in detail in this report. Some parameters such as downward shortwave radiation, upward shortwave radiation, net radiation and wind direction were accurately depicted by the modelled simulations, having correlation coefficients of 0. 97, 0. 95, 0.89 and 0.80 respectively. Other parameters had a negative or positive bias. In this instance, the model does not capture the intensity or accuracy of the observed recordings. It is identified that climate modelling is essential for understanding the way in which planet Earth operates and that accurately modelling the current climate will help produce more powerful model and accurate models to help identify what the future climate might be like. The precise modelling of Antarctica is integral to this understanding of climate change.