How can one know the lowest model level at a specific grid point?

[mirabelle]

Hi,

I've run WRF for terrain sensitivity experiment, I want to know how to calculate lowest model level (Z1) for specific grid point?
What is the calculation formula?
Can the model directly output this value?
If I modify the terrain height at a specificc grid point without changing the eta_levels layers of the model, will the Z1 be affected?

PLEASE HELP!

 

[victor_veiga]

Using python you could get the desired variable (height, height_agl, ...), using this function: wrf.getvar — wrf-python 1.3.4.1 documentation

from wrf import (getvar, ll_to_xy)
from netCDF4 import Dataset

#Open the output file (example)
ncfile=Dataset("wrfout_d01_....")

#Define the lat/lon:
latitude = -23 #random
longitude = 43 #random

#Convert the latitude and longitude of the grid point to the X and Y indexes:
X,Y=ll_to_xy(ncfile,latitude,longitude).values

#Then, get the variable at the level z and X,Y grid point coordinate
getvar(ncfile, "height_agl",timeidx=0)[z][X][Y]

For the first level, z = 0
It might need some adjustment, but i think this should help.

 

[mirabelle]

Hi. I tried it, and the calculated z varies with time. However, theoretically, it seems like it should remain constant.

Using python you could get the desired variable (height, height_agl, ...), using this function: wrf.getvar — wrf-python 1.3.4.1 documentation

from wrf import (getvar, ll_to_xy)
from netCDF4 import Dataset

#Open the output file (example)
ncfile=Dataset("wrfout_d01_....")

#Define the lat/lon:
latitude = -23 #random
longitude = 43 #random

#Convert the latitude and longitude of the grid point to the X and Y indexes:
X,Y=ll_to_xy(ncfile,latitude,longitude).values

#Then, get the variable at the level z and X,Y grid point coordinate
getvar(ncfile, "height_agl",timeidx=0)[z][X][Y]

For the first level, z = 0
It might need some adjustment, but i think this should help.

 

[victor_veiga]

Hi. I tried it, and the calculated z varies with time. However, theoretically, it seems like it should remain constant.

Is the change in z-values meaningful? I checked with some runs I'm doing and the maximum variation was 3m.

In any case, I'm not sure why this value varies over time.

 

[mirabelle]

Is the change in z-values meaningful? I checked with some runs I'm doing and the maximum variation was 3m.

In any case, I'm not sure why this value varies over time.

HI
I previously misunderstood; it should vary with time. This is because WRF uses sigma coordinates