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Mesoscale model simulations have been performed of the second episode of gravity waves observed in great detail in previous studies on 11-12 July 1981 during the Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment. The dominant wave simulated by the model was mechanically forced by the strong updraft associated with a mountainplains solenoid (MPS). As this updraft impinged upon a stratified shear layer above the deep, well-mixed boundary layer that developed due to strong sensible heating over the Absaroka Mountains, the gravity wave was created. This wave rapidly weakened as it propagated eastward. However, explosive convection developed directly over the remnant gravity wave as an eastward-propagating density current produced by a rainband generated within the MPS leeside convergence zone merged with a westward-propagating density current in eastern Montana. The greatly strengthened cool pool resulting from this new convection then generated a bore wave that appeared to be continuous with the movement of the incipient gravity wave as it propagated across Montana and the Dakotas. The nonlinear balance equation and Rossby number were computed to explore the role of geostrophic adjustment in the forecast gravity wave generation, as suggested in previous studies of this wave event. These fields did indicate flow imbalance, but this was merely the manifestation of the MPS-forced gravity wave. Thus, the imbalance indicator fields provided no lead time for predicting wave occurrence. Several sensitivity tests were performed to study the role of diabatic processes and topography in the initiation of the flow imbalance and the propagating gravity waves. When diabatic effects owing to precipitation were prevented, a strong gravity wave still was generated in the upper troposphere within the region of imbalance over the mountains. However, it did not have a significant impact because moist convection was necessary to maintain wave energy in the absence of an efficient wave duct. No gravity waves were present in either a simulation that disallowed surface sensible heating, or the ''flat terrain'' simulation, because the requisite MPS forcing could not occur. This study highlights difficulties encountered in attempting to model the generation of observed gravity waves over complex terrain in the presence of strong diabatic effects. The complex interactions that occurred between the sensible heating over complex terrain, the incipient gravity wave, and convection highlight the need for much more detailed observations between wave generation regions over mountains and the plains downstream of such regions.

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A state-of-the-science meso-b-scale numerical weather prediction model is being employed in a prototype forecast system for potential operational use at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The numerical model is part of a unique operational forecasting system being developed to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Terminal Area Productivity Program. This operational forecasting system will focus on mesob-scale aviation weather problems involving planetary boundary layer (PBL) turbulence, and is named the Terminal Area PBL Prediction System (TAPPS). TAPPS (version 1) is being tested and developed for NASA in an effort to improve 1-6-h terminal area forecasts of wind, vertical wind shear, temperature, and turbulence within both stable and convective PBLs at major airport terminal areas. This is being done to enhance terminal area productivity, that is, aircraft arrival and departure throughput, by using the weather forecasts as part of the Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS). AVOSS is dependent upon nowcasts or short-period forecasts of wind, temperature, and eddy dissipation rate so that the drift and dissipation of wake vortices can be anticipated for safe airport operation. This AVOSS system will be demonstrated during calendar year 2000 at DFW. This paper describes the numerical modeling system, which has three basic components: the numerical model, the initial data stream, and the postprocessing system. Also included are the results of several case study simulations with the numerical model from a field program that occurred in September 1997 at DFW. During this field program, detailed local measurements throughout the troposphere, with special emphasis on the PBL, were taken at and surrounding DFW in an effort to verify the numerical model simulations. Comparisons indicate that the numerical model is capable of an accurate simulation of the vertical wind shear structure during the diurnal evolution of the PBL when compared directly to specific local observations. The case studies represent unambiguous examples of the dynamics of the Great Plains diurnal low-level jet stream. This diurnal jet stream represents the dominant low-level wind shear-production mechanism during quiescent synoptic-scale flow regimes. Five consecutive daily case studies, during which this phenomenon was observed over and in proximity to DFW, are compared to the products derived from TAPPS.

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