Ability of the WRF and HARMONIE-AROME models to detect turbulence related to mountain waves over central Iberia

Abstract

Aircraft turbulence is one of the most dangerous meteorological phenomena that can affect aviation safety. This study is focused on the turbulence associated to mountain lee waves in the vicinity of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport (Spain). Sixty-eight mountain lee waves events are selected to simulate the turbulence with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) and the HARMONIE-AROME numerical weather prediction models. To study and characterize the turbulence associated, the vertical wind speeds are selected as an important variable and the Eddy Dissipation Rate is estimated. Both models have properly simulated the turbulence and the clear air turbulence, obtaining higher values of turbulence intensity by WRF-ARW than HARMONIE-AROME in the mountain lee waves events. Finally, these results are used to enhance a mountain wave warning decision tree, including the turbulence warning which is validated through several turbulence reports.