Large variations in local weather and climate are typical in Hawaii, ranging from the humid tropical climate on the windward lower slopes to the drier, and sometimes desert-like, leeward slopes. Topographical influences on local circulations are difficult to simulate using standard modeling techniques. The focus of this project is on improving the performance of the high-resolution WRF-NMM model by using two-way nesting procedures coupled with the Noah land surface model (LSM) and better lower boundary conditions at the land surface.
The daily experimental WRF-NMM/LSM forecasts will be subjectively evaluated by forecasters at the Honolulu NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Office in an operational environment and statistically evaluated by the researchers at the University of Hawaii. In addition, model sensitivity tests will also be performed with different vertical resolutions and the predicted precipitable water in the regional domain will be compared with the satellite observed precipitable water values.