Abstract:
Simulations with four land surface models (LSMs) (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP, Noah-MP with ground water GW option, and CLM4)
using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 12 km horizontal grid resolution were carried out as two sets for 3
months (December–February 2011/2012 and July–September 2012) over West Africa..e objective is to assess the performance of
WRF LSMs in simulating meteorological parameters over West Africa..e model precipitation was assessed against TRMM while
surface temperature was compared with the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset. Results show that the LSMs performed differently for
different variables in different land-surface conditions. Based on precipitation and temperature, Noah-MP GW is overall the best
for all the variables and seasons in combination, while Noah came last. Specifically, Noah-MP GW performed best for JAS
temperature and precipitation; CLM4 was the best in simulating DJF precipitation, while Noah was the best in simulating DJF
temperature. Noah-MP GW has the wettest Sahel while Noah has the driest one. .e strength of the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) is
strongest in Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP compared with that in CLM4 and Noah. .e core of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) lies
around 12°N in Noah and 15°N for Noah-MP GW. Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP simulations have stronger influx of moisture
advection from the southwesterly monsoonal wind than the CLM4 and Noah with Noah showing the least influx. Also, analysis of
the evaporative fraction shows sharp gradient for Noah-MP GW and Noah-MP with wetter Sahel further to the north and further
to the south for Noah. Noah-MP-GW has the highest amount of soil moisture, while the CLM4 has the least for both the JAS and
DJF seasons. .e CLM4 has the highest LH for both DJF and JAS seasons but however has the least SH for both DJF and JAS
seasons. .e principal difference between the LSMs is in the vegetation representation, description, and parameterization of the
soil water column; hence, improvement is recommended in this regard.
