Restorative-Iterative Initialization for a Global Prediction Model

A restorative-iterative procedure is tested in initializing the height and wind fields for a global barotropic model. Real 500 mb. data is used as the basis of the initial height values in the mid latitudes and as the basis of the initial streamfunction values in the tropics. The procedure is tested for the case of frictionless and adiabatic flow and for the case where friction and a simulated heating function is included. In addition, experiments were performed in which an 'observed' divergent wind was added in the tropics. Results are very encouraging in the sense that the amplitudes of the external inertia-gravity motions excited due to initial imbalance between the mass and wind fields are reduced considerably with the use of the procedure. (Author)