The Neelin-Zeng Quasi-Equilibrium
Tropical Circulation Model (QTCM1)
Version 2.3

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

Department of Atmospheric Sciences
University of California, Los Angeles

August 25, 2002

Note: This document was created with latex2html and while every attempt was made to ensure it's acuracy some bugs have been detected and corrected others may persist. If you have any doubts see either the .ps or .pdf versions which are part of the tarred QTCM download in /doc. They are also available for download at http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~csi/qtcm_man.

• 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
    • Compiling the Model
    • Running the Model
    • Macros
    • Model Input Parameters
    • 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
    • Output Calling Branches
      • For Sequential Unformatted Binary (GrADS) Output
      • For netCDF Output Files
      • Common for Binary and netCDF Output
    • Model Grid
  • Model Code and Numerics
    • Grid Boundaries
    • High Latitude Filtering
      • Fourier filter
      • Sponge Layers (obsolete)
    • Spherical Geometry
  • Variable Naming
    • More On Naming Conventions
    • Variable and Parameter Keys
      • Dynamics Variables and Parameters
      • 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.f90
  • Land-Surface Parameterization Scheme
  • Cloud-Radiation Parameterization Coefficients
    • Cloud Fraction
    • Longwave Radiation
    • Shortwave Radiation
  • Slab Mixed-layer Ocean Model
  • Convective Closure Assumptions
  • Horizontal Diffusion Schemes
  • Atmospheric Boundary Layer
  • Cloud Top Effect on Gross Moist Stability
  • Notes on model simulation for various versions
• 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 ...