The Neelin-Zeng Quasi-Equilibrium
Tropical Circulation Model (QTCM1)
Version 2.1

J. David Neelin
Ning Zeng
Chia Chou
Hui Su
Johnny Lin
Matthias Munnich
Katrina Hales

Department of Atmospheric Sciences
University of California, Los Angeles

May 1999
Revised September 9, 1999

• Contents
• Preface
• Basic Operation
  • Introduction and Model Description
    • Overview
    • Version History
    • Model Spatial and Temporal Coverage
    • Miscellaneous Notes
  • What's Included In the Model
  • How to Make a Basic Model Run
    • Running the Model
    • Processing and Viewing the Output
  • Descriptions of Files and Scripts
    • Input Files
      • Boundary Condition Files
      • Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Files
      • Model Physics Parameters Files
    • Output Files
      • Control of Output
      • Content of Output
    • Other Scripts and Files
  • Overview of Model Flow
• Model Code
  • Introduction and Overview
  • Calling Structure and Grid
    • Model Code Calling Tree
    • Model Grid
  • Model Code and Numerics
    • Grid Boundaries
    • Sponge Layers
    • Spherical Geometry
    • Horizontal Viscosity
    • Model Output
  • Variable Naming
    • More On Naming Conventions
    • Variable and Parameter Keys
      • Dynamics Variables and Parameters
      • Surface Flux Variables and Parameters
      • Land-Surface Variables and Parameters
      • Radiation Variables and Parameters
      • Selected QTCM1 Variable and Parameter Definitions
  • Coupling Considerations
  • Dealing with model blow-up
• Model Physics
  • Calculation of the Parameters in qtcmpar.in
  • Land-Surface Parameterization Scheme
  • Cloud-Radiation Parameterization Coefficients
    • Cloud fraction
    • Longwave radiation
    • Shortwave radiation
  • Slab Mixed-layer Ocean Model
  • Alternative Convective Closure Assumptions
• Summary of Model Formulation
  • Introduction
  • QTCM Approach
    • Basis Functions
  • The Simplest QTCM
    • Momentum Equations
    • Moist Static Energy Equation and the Gross Moist Stability
    • Temperature and Moisture Equations
  • Land-Surface Model
  • Discussion
  • References
• Notes
• References
• About this document ...