COMPARISON OF WIND-FIELD MODELS USING THE CAPTEX DATA

Results of the Cross-Appalachian Tracer Experiment have been used to compare the performance of three different wind models - a primitive-equation model, a quasi-geostrophic model and a linear-interpolation model. The comparison shows that the primative-equation model performed very well generally and should be a useful model when forecasting is required. The linear-interpolation model performed well in the absence of cold front passage, but less well in the presence of cold front passage. The quasi-geostrophic model performed well only if treatment for surface friction is incorporated; without the treatment it is the only model that revealed an observed stagnation. -Authors