by Robert Banks

During the last week of January 2015 ITaRS fellow Robert Banks participated in the 2015 Winter Tutorial for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale meteorological model. The one-week training course was held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

The tutorial consisted of lectures and hands-on practical exercises on various components of the WRF modeling system for the Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW) dynamic core. Robert’s PhD project involves an evaluation of WRF-ARW physics options, including planetary boundary-layer schemes, for the application to an air quality forecast system.

Many thanks to the great folks at the NCAR Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology (MMM) division for the detailed presentations and valuable advice during the practice sessions. Overall the tutorial and side discussions will be advantageous to a successful and scientifically robust thesis.