A mesoscale simulation of coastal circulation in the Guadalquivir valley (southwestern Iberian Peninsula) using the WRF-ARW model

Located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Guadalquivir valley is a site of frequent problems related to air pollution. The atmospheric dynamics of this region is poorly characterised but is fundamental to understanding the chemical and photochemical processes that contribute to the pollution problems. In this work, the atmospheric mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) model was used to study the horizontal and vertical development of the two sea–land breeze patterns (pure and non-pure) that are identified in the coastal area as being responsible for many of the air pollution events. In addition, data from five meteorological stations within the valley were used to validate and compare the model results.The FNL archives were used to define the initial and boundary conditions of the model. Four domains with a grid resolution of 81, 27, 9 and 3 km and 40 sigma pressure levels in each domain were defined. The Medium Range and Forecast (MRF) parameterisation scheme was used with new values for both the bulk critical Richardson number and the coefficient of proportionality. This new configuration was obtained from the sensitivity exercises.Several periods were modelled for both breeze patterns, focusing on the wind, the potential temperatures and the specific humidity fields. For the pure breeze, the horizontal movement along the valley was conditioned by the arrival of a Mediterranean flow in the Guadalquivir valley that limits the horizontal extension of the breeze to 20–40 km inland. In contrast, the non-pure pattern was only identified in the coastal area; although motivated by the entrance of southwestern flows, a marine air mass transport along the valley was detected and reached inland areas located approximately 200 km from the coast line.In both cases, the model results indicated the formation of a thermal internal boundary layer with a vertical development of less than 500 m for the pure sea breeze while for the non-pure breeze can reach a vertical extension of 1 km. In the case of the non-pure pattern, the model forecast for the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) height distribution along the valley revealed a homogeneous pattern related to the entrance of the southwestern flows, in contrast with the clear division of the valley observed for the pure pattern motivated by the arrival of Mediterranean flows.

► First application of the atmospheric mesoscale model WRF-ARW over southwestern
► Iberian Peninsula
► Definition of a WRF-ARW configuration over the studied region
► Simulation and validation of the sea–land breezes over a complex terrain
► Understanding the mesoscale process in a region with air quality problems