Mesoscale modeling...

[Robert Dewey]

I am getting ready to setup a mesoscale model on one of my workstations, and I am not sure which one I want to try this go around...

I usually run the Workstation ETA (WS ETA) from the SOO/STRC, which is a very easy setup. They provide everything needed to run the model "out of the box". It automatically collects the needed data, converts it, and runs the model - the only thing the user needs to do is setup the config file in the beginning.

I have also been looking into the WRF model. It's alot more complicated than running the WS ETA, since it's not really automated (you have to program your own scripts to get the correct data, then apply each program). I assume the MM5 is run in a similar fashion.

I asked Dr. Greg Mann (our local NWS's SOO), and he actually recommended the WS ETA since it's alot easier to run, and since the current benefits of the WRF over the WS ETA aren't really all that great as of yet (in addition to the fact that mesoscale modeling is far from perfect anyway).

I'm thinking of sticking with the WS ETA... Anyone have experience with the WRF, or any significant reason to stray from the WS ETA and go with the WRF?

 

[Robert Dewey]

Anyone? With all the people with a met and/or college backround, no one has ever tried running the WRF or knows the advantages of the WRF over other mesoscale models? :x :lol:

 

[rdale]

If Dr Greg says it - I'd agree with it ;>

 

[Robert Dewey]

Originally posted by rdale
If Dr Greg says it - I'd agree with it ;>

:lol:

Yeah, I'm going to stick with the WS ETA... I just wondered if someone had a good reason why I should do otherwise.

 

[Jeff Snyder]

WRF would be cool to run, so if you want to undertake the effort, let me know how it goes! I've been wanting to run the WS-ETA on my laptop since last winter, but I've been waiting for a good NTFS-on-Linux solution so I don't need to repartition my hard drive (read: wipe the hard drive clean). I suppose I could perhaps buy the Norton partition, but I'd hate to spend $70 on a program I'll use once. I haven't paid attn to the NTFS-on-linux effort lately, so perhaps there is a way yet that allows me to read my NTFS partition (which is the windows partition, and holds all data) while on the Linux side (FAT partitioned).

 

[Mickey Ptak]

Quick question, exactly how do you run models on your own computer? GEMPAK or other programs?

It does sound like something I would like to do also when this semester ends.

Mick

 

[Jeff Snyder]

Mickey,

See http://strc.comet.ucar.edu/model/ ( http://strc.comet.ucar.edu/model/wseta_general.htm ) and http://wwwt.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/wrkstn_eta/ for info on the WS-ETA, and http://www.mmm.ucar.edu/wrf/users/downloads.html for info on the WRF download.

 

[Robert Dewey]

The SOO/STRC WS ETA is by far the easiest to setup, provided you follow the instructions...

With the WRF - I always thought it had the ability to initialize using real-time data (nids, satellite, OBS, etc.) via a 3DVAR program? Looking through the user manual, I only see that the program accepts sounding/RAOB data. If I could find out how to add the other sources that I mentioned, then I would definitely try the WRF hands down.

As for your question Mick, Jeff posted some good resources. You would generally need to have a relatively fast Linux system (you can download Fedora for free at Redhat.com)... To view the data, GEMPAK is what is typically used for the WS ETA, but I'm not sure about the WRF. I think the output files are all in netCDF, which I have no experience with...

 

[Mickey Ptak]

Thank guys. I really think I will take some time on the brake and get this up a going for next season. I have an extra machine in which I can use to run which ever model I choose to run. It is not the best machine but if I can get my hands on onther 512mb of RAM it may jsut do the job. Of course the Linux is in itself going to be a handfull by itself. I have not even messed with Linux. I have also wanted to get GEMPAK up and going to so that will part of that task also.

Thanks again...

Mick

 

[Robert Dewey]

Originally posted by Mickey Ptak
Thank guys. I really think I will take some time on the brake and get this up a going for next season. I have an extra machine in which I can use to run which ever model I choose to run. It is not the best machine but if I can get my hands on onther 512mb of RAM it may jsut do the job. Of course the Linux is in itself going to be a handfull by itself. I have not even messed with Linux. I have also wanted to get GEMPAK up and going to so that will part of that task also.

Thanks again...

Mick

The model takes advantage of higher processor speeds moreso than RAM size (not that more RAM wouldn't help!)... Here are some benchmarks: http://strc.comet.ucar.edu/model/wseta_benchmark.htm

I'm going to get it up and running on my machine which runs an Intel 670J 64-Bit processor at roughly 4.25GHz with 512MB DDR2 RAM (667). I'll post the results once I get everything setup...

 

[Mickey Ptak]

The model takes advantage of higher processor speeds moreso than RAM size (not that more RAM wouldn't help!)... Here are some benchmarks: http://strc.comet.ucar.edu/model/wseta_benchmark.htm

I'm going to get it up and running on my machine which runs an Intel 670J 64-Bit processor at roughly 4.25GHz

Jesus Christ 4.25GHz. Wow!

Yeh I won't even be close to that. My machine would only have a P3 1.2GHz 512mb RAM. I think I could live with that though according to that link you gave me it would take 1 1/2 hour to run it (give or take).

Even if that won't work I still want GEMPAK.

Mick

 

[Robert Dewey]

Well, no WS ETA for me :?

The binary distribution available from SOO/STRC seems to be too outdated for Fedora Core 4 64-Bit.

I would build the WRF, but it requires an F90 or F95 compiler, which as far as I am aware costs alot of money (on the order of $500), and is NOT available for free.

I should just stop upgrading my O/S - it's nothing but troubles! :x

 

[GPhillips]

Well, no WS ETA for me :?

The binary distribution available from SOO/STRC seems to be too outdated for Fedora Core 4 64-Bit.

I had it running on FC4 x86-64 just the other day. What error is it throwing?

I would build the WRF, but it requires an F90 or F95 compiler, which as far as I am aware costs alot of money (on the order of $500), and is NOT available for free.

I think you can download the Intel compiler for free, non-commercial use. You have to register with them, but otherwise it should work. Of course working out which switches to use in compilation may be a real pain.

 

[Robert Dewey]

Well, no WS ETA for me :?

The binary distribution available from SOO/STRC seems to be too outdated for Fedora Core 4 64-Bit.

I had it running on FC4 x86-64 just the other day. What error is it throwing?

I would build the WRF, but it requires an F90 or F95 compiler, which as far as I am aware costs alot of money (on the order of $500), and is NOT available for free.

I think you can download the Intel compiler for free, non-commercial use. You have to register with them, but otherwise it should work. Of course working out which switches to use in compilation may be a real pain.

Well, that's a relief that it works on FC4 64-Bit... I don't recall the exact error, but I'm going to undue everything that I did and start fresh. I'll also look into the Intel F90 compilers and see what I can do with the WRF source code.

I'll keep you guys updated, since I know a few people here are interested in getting these things up and running...

 

[GPhillips]

Well, that's a relief that it works on FC4 64-Bit... I don't recall the exact error, but I'm going to undue everything that I did and start fresh. I'll also look into the Intel F90 compilers and see what I can do with the WRF source code.

I did run the 32bit workstation Eta binary, however. I haven't tried the 64 bit one so maybe that's the problem?