BLFMESO - A 3-DIMENSIONAL MESOSCALE METEOROLOGICAL MODEL FOR MICROCOMPUTERS

A three-dimensional boundary-layer meteorological model for- meso-beta -scale domains has been developed for use on micro-computers (personal computers and low-end workstations). This hydrostatic model, named BL FMESO, is based on primitive equations with terrain-following coordina tes and is capable of reproducing complex-terrain-induced mesoscale ci rculations. In this paper, a description of the model formulations and parameterizations is provided and discussed. Also presented ale some sample results of BLFMESO simulations of lake effects for a 180 km x 1 80 km domain surrounding the city of Toronto (Canada) on Lake Ontario. Since this mesoscale model requires only about 20 minutes of computer time on a personal computer (Intel 80486-33 MHz CPU) for a 12 hour si mulation, it can be a useful tool for real-time operational boundary-l ayer meteorology applications.