Numerical experiments with RAMS model in highly complex terrain

RAMS mesoscale model has been applied to simulate the atmospheric circulation in highly complex terrain, in the Hindu-Kush Karakorum and Himalaya regions. The goal of the work is to assess the sensitivity of the model to the grid spacing and related resolution, the smoothing of the orography, the microphysics parameterizations, in such heterogeneous and challenging conditions. As a follow up, the capability of the model in correctly capturing the atmospheric processes is tested. Two main cases, where some measured data were available, have been considered: a period during which a flood occurred and a period characterised by high-pollution episodes. RAMS model provided sensible results, the predictions reasonably reproduce the observed data at a regional scale, but the most local characteristics cannot be definitely described even at the typical resolution of 1 km order.