Evaluation of meteorological microphysical schemas based on the WRF model for simulation of rainfall in the northeastern region of Iran

Abstract

Study region: The Khorasan Razavi Province represents a variety of climatic types in the northeastern region of Iran. It lies between 56° 19′ and 61° 16′ east longitude and 33° 52′–37° 42′ north latitude, which is one of the largest and most densely populated provinces in Iran. Study focus: The aim of this study is using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to evaluate and simulate rainfall in the northeastern region of Iran based on the climatic conditions in order to rainfall forecasting, also warn about and control probable floods. New hydrological insights for the region: Following the climatic classification of the study area, the six WRF model schemas were employed to implement the model in this area: Purdue-Lin (Lin), WRF Single-Moment class 3, 5, 6 (WSM3, WSM5, WSM6), and WRF Double-Moment class 5, 6 (WDM5, WDM6). The results revealed that the Threat Score (TS) coefficients for the WDM5 and Lin schemas in the desert climate are 1 and 0.97, respectively; the TS coefficient for each one of the Lin, WSM3, and WDM6 have the value of 0.60 in the semi-desert climate. The Lin scheme performs the best in all climates of the study area. The results revealed that the WRF model accurately simulates rainfall in the climatic conditions of the region. Hydrologists and planners will be able to use this meteorological model as an input to hydrological models based on the output of the WRF model, which can provide early flood warnings within the next 24 h based on these findings.

Keywords

• Weather Research and Forecasting model
• Climatic types
• Rainfall simulation
• Flood control
• Khorasan Razavi Province