Evaluation of the WRF model configuration for Zonda wind events in a complex terrain

•Two mesoscale Zonda wind events occurring in a complex terrain were simulated using WRF.•WRF model performance was tested for various reanalysis and LULC databases.•A better representation of LULC improved the WRF model's ability to predict surface variables.•For upper air variables, several configurations described the Zonda events similarly.

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to simulate two mesoscale events of Zonda winds that occurred in August 2010 and April 2011. The model was applied on a complex terrain area of high mountains in Mendoza, western Argentina. The WRF numerical model performance was evaluated for two reanalysis datasets and two land use and land cover databases in order to verify the influence of forcing conditions and to find the configuration that best reproduces these severe conditions. Results were evaluated using meteorological data from three surface stations and two stations with radiosondes for the following variables: temperature, dew point, and meridional and zonal winds components. Upper air data were analyzed for standard pressure levels. Results clearly showed a better performance from the locally adapted model in predicting surface variables. Furthermore, distinct tendencies were found with regard to the preferred configuration for upper air variables at different levels of pressure, both in the use of land use and land cover databases and of reanalysis data.