EMD-WRF Middle East
Introduction and Model Domain
EMD-WRF Middle East is a high resolution mesoscale dataset modelled and provided by EMD International A/S. The data set released originally covered mainland Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, parts of Georgia, Cyprys, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon and North-East Egypt. During September 2016, the dataset is expanded to cover also Iran and the nearby areas. The model domain for EMD-WRF Middle East is shown in the figure to the right.
Please Note:
- This dataset is no longer updated.
- Access to the north-west domain access require a licence to the EMD-WRF Europe+ dataset (see below).
- Some domains of this dataset is freely available for windPRO users with an active service subscription (south-east and south-west domains).
- If you need updated mesoscale data from within the SE or SQ domains, please consider the EMD-WRF On-Demand Service
Usage Note: Update of the EMD-WRF Middle East dataset is discontinued from ultimo 2019
2019-08-26: The last month with ERA-Interim data was august 2019 as ECMWF has discontinued this dataset and replaced it with the ERA5 Data. EMD has ceased to update the EMD-WRF Middle East dataset as the source data is not avaialble anymore. The EMD-WRF Europe+ (ERA5) dataset is already available as the natural, higher-quality successor for the the north-western parts of this dataset. Find more information here.
Dataset Description
The mesoscale model is run at a spatial resolution of 0.029°x0.029°, approximately 3x3 km, and with hourly temporal resolution. ERA Interim data from ECMWF (http://www.ecmwf.int) is the global boundary data. The timespan of the data is back to 1994 and up until the latest available boundary data (see below for the Release Schedule). Data access is via WindPRO’s user friendly interface to on-line data and may require a payment of an annual subscription fee.
Release Schedule
This dataset is not updated anymore, as its source data (the ERA-Interim data) is no longer available. The dataset used to recieve monthly updates, with approximately 3 months delay defined by ERA Interim's availability and computational efforts regarding EMD's high-performance computer clusters.
Validation
The model-setup has been validated through various internal investigations on masts spatially distributed in the modelling area.
The findings (the correlations) are summarized in the datasheet available (here).
In addition to the EMD-validations, the EMD-WRF modelling setup has been evaluated in a number of external benchmarks.
We have a separate EMD-WRF Benchmark Wiki-Page that holds links to those investigations.
Dataset Parameters
A large quantity of useful parameters are available directly in WindPRO to aid in your analysis. The different parameters in the EMD-WRF Middle East dataset that are available from within WindPRO are shown in the table below.
| Parameter | Unit | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| time | UTC time stamp | ||
| psfc | Pa | Pressure at site | Instantaneous |
| msl | Pa | Pressure at mean sea level | Instantaneous |
| wSpeed.x | m/s | Wind speeds at different physical levels (x). Heights (x): 10m, 25m, 50m, 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m |
Instantaneous |
| wDir.x | deg | Wind speeds at different physical levels (x). Heights (x): 10m, 25m, 50m, 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m |
Instantaneous |
| wSpeed.0-30mb | m/s | Wind speeds at pressure level 0-30mb. | Instantaneous |
| wDir.0-30mb | deg | Wind speeds at pressure levels 0-30mb. | Instantaneous |
| wSpeed.850hpa | m/s | Wind speeds at pressure level 850hPa. | Instantaneous |
| wDir.850hpa | deg | Wind speeds at pressure levels 850hPa. | Instantaneous |
| temperature.x | celcius | Temperatures at different heights (x) Heights (x): 2m and 100m |
Instantaneous |
| waterTemp | celcius | Water temperature | Instantaneous |
| soilTemp.0-10cm | celcius | The temperature in the upper 10 cm of the soil | Instantaneous |
| relHumidity.2 | % | Relative humidity in height 2m above ground level | Instantaneous |
| snowDepth | m | Snow depth (if present) | Instantaneous |
| vis.s | m | Visibility at surface | Instantaneous |
| sensHeatFlux.s | w/m2 | Sensible Heat Flux at surface | Instantaneous |
| totPrecip.s | kg/m^2 | Total Precipitation at surface | 1h Accumulated |
| downShortWaveFlux.s | w/m2 | Downward shortwave irradiance at surface | 1h Average |
| totalCloudCover.a | % | Total cloud cover in atmosphere | 1h Average |
| convCloudCover.a | % | Convective cloud cover in atmosphere | 1h Average |
| Data below this line are not shown in a default import of EMD-WRF Middle-East data, but can be made available by clicking on the "+" button in the lower left corner of the import table. | |||
| 4LFTX | K | N/A | |
| rmol | 1/m | Inverse Monin-Obukhov-Length [1] | |
| znt | m | Rougnhess length | |
| sqrtTKE.x | m/s | Wind speed given as standard deviation in m/s. Derived from the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Results available in different physical levels. Heights (x): 10m, 25m, 50m, 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m |
Instantaneous |
| cloudWater.100 | kg/kg | Parameter intended for estimating probability of icing.[2] | Instantaneous |
| cloudIce.100 | kg/m^2 | Parameter intended for estimating probability of icing.[2] | Instantaneous |
Required Modules/Licenses
To access the EMD-WRF Middle East mesoscale data the following licenses/modules are required in your WindPRO setup:
- BASIS
- METEO
- For the EMD-WRF Middle East NW domain: License to the EMD-WRF Europe+ dataset
- For the EMD-WRF Middle East SE and SW domains: Free access for users with the basis and METEO modules - and an active service subscription.
When a license fee is paid, you then have access to the full dataset without further cost. The price is available from the price-list on the EMD-homepage. Downloading of data is unrestricted for licenced users, however, a "fair use" policy applies. Unlicenced users may download three months of data from any point, however, multiple downloads are not allowed from the same point.
Visit EMD online ordering to purchase the needed licences.
Attribution
If data from this dataset is used within any private or public disseminations, then EMD and its data providers must be acknowledged.
Source: EMD-WRF Middle East - Copyright (C) - EMD International A/S, 2019. Distribution through EMD and windPRO. This dataset uses ERA-Iterim which is being developed through the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
Footnotes
- ↑ It is still being investigated whether this inverse Monin-Obukhov-Length can be used for stability clasification.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 CloudWater and cloudIcing values are extracted directly from the WRF meso-scale model and are normal output parameters of the same run as the other parameters (wind, temperature etc.). They are controlled by the WRF microphysics scheme for which Ferrier was used. For further information, please access the numerous internet resources about WRF use. EMD has not done any validation on the parameters, so they are provided as is.