A linear analysis of the NCAR CCSM finite-volume dynamical core

The NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM) finite-volume atmospheric core uses a C-D-grid discretization to solve the equations of motion. A linear analysis of this discretization shows that it behaves as a D grid to leading order, it possesses the poor response of the D grid for short-wavelength divergent modes, the poor response of the C and D grids for short-wavelength rotational modes, and is only first-order accurate in time and damping. The scheme combines a modified forward-backward time integration for gravity waves with forward-in-time upwind-biased advection schemes, and the solver uses a vector-invariant form of the momentum equations. Other approaches using these equations are considered that circumvent some of the problems inherent in the current approach.