MOSE: zooming on the Meso-NH mesoscale model performances at the surface layer at ESO sites (Paranal and Armazones)

TL;DR

This study evaluates the performance of the Meso-NH mesoscale model at ESO sites in Chile, analyzing how different horizontal resolutions affect near-ground weather predictions, with promising results for high-resolution configurations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of mesoscale model performance at different resolutions near ground level at ESO sites, highlighting improvements with very high resolution.

Findings

High-resolution (0.1 km) configuration improves near-ground weather predictions.

Model performance varies with orography and resolution.

Results are promising for operational use at ESO sites.

Abstract

In the context of the MOSE project, in this contribution we present a detailed analysis of the Meso-NH mesoscale model performances and their dependency on the model and orography horizontal resolutions in proximity of the ground. The investigated sites are Cerro Paranal (site of the ESO Very Large Telescope - VLT) and Cerro Armazones (site of the ESO European Extremely Large Telescope - E-ELT), in Chile. At both sites, data from a rich statistical sample of different nights are available - from AWS (Automated Weather Stations) and masts - giving access to wind speed, wind direction and temperature at different levels near the ground (from 2 m to 30 m above the ground). In this study we discuss the use of a very high horizontal resolution (dX=0.1 km) numerical configuration that overcomes some specific limitations put in evidence with a standard configuration with dX=0.5 km. In both sites results are very promising. The study is co-funded by ESO and INAF.