Numerical simulation of clouds, rain, and airflow over the Vosges and Black Forest mountains: a meso- beta model with parameterized microphysics

A three-dimensional meso- beta model with parameterized microphysics is presented. The model is capable of simulating orographically forced clouds, rain, and airflow. Tests using a two-dimensional version confirm the ability of the model to replicate the linear and nonlinear mountain wave simulations of previous authors. The model is applied to the Rhine valley and surrounding mountainous areas, the Vosges in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Model-predicted rainfall over the mountainous areas agrees well with observations in both magnitude and location; however, an absence of model-predicted cloud cover over the Rhine valley suggests the need for an improved mesoscale initialization procedure.