WRF | MPAS | README.physics_files

While browsing the WRF repository, I came across an introduction file in version 4.6.1, located at WRF/run/README.physics_files. This file provides a list of external files used by various physical schemes in the WRF model.

In this post, I'll give a brief overview for everyone to learn together.

When using certain schemes, we may wonder what data they rely on. The official documentation included a summary of the calling files in the update for version 4.3 in April 2021, making it easier for everyone to reference. Subsequent minor versions have also included additional information,with the latest details primarily pertaining to version 4.6.1.

Initially, these files were located in the run directory and would then be linked to the test/em_real directory after compilation.

It's important to note that the files ending with "DBL" are only needed when using the real*8 double precision run mode.

You can check which fixed files are utilized in the parameterization schemes you commonly use.

• https://github.com/wrf-model/WRF/blame/master/run/README.physics_files

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README.physics_files

This is a list of all the physics options that require additional files.
Necessary files are listed below each option.
Those files must be linked to the directory where WRF is run.

Note: the files with DBL at the end are only used when running the model with real*8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microphysics

Eta/Ferrier (Option 5):
	ETAMPNEW_DATA
	ETAMPNEW_DATA_DBL
	ETAMPNEW_DATA.expanded_rain
	ETAMPNEW_DATA.expanded_rain_DBL

Thompson (Option 8):
	CCN_ACTIVATE.BIN

SBM (Options 30 and 32):
	bulkdens.asc_s_0_03_0_9
	bulkradii.asc_s_0_03_0_9
	capacity.asc
	coeff_p.asc
	coeff_q.asc
	constants.asc
	kernels.asc_s_0_03_0_9
	kernels_z.asc
	masses.asc
	termvels.asc

P3 (Options 50, 51, and 52)
	p3_lookupTable_1.dat-3momI_v5.1.7
	p3_lookupTable_1.dat-5.3-2momI
	p3_lookupTable_2.dat-2momI_v5.2.3

Jensen (Option 55):
	ishmael-gamma-tab.bin
	ishmael-qi-qc.bin
	ishmael-qi-qr.bin

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surface

Slab 5-Layer (Option 1):
	LANDUSE.TBL

Noah (Option 2):
	LANDUSE.TBL
	GENPARM.TBL
	SOILPARM.TBL
	VEGPARM.TBL

RUC (Option 3):
	LANDUSE.TBL
	GENPARM.TBL
	SOILPARM.TBL
	VEGPARM.TBL

NoahMP (Option 4):
	LANDUSE.TBL
	GENPARTM.TBL
	MPTABLE.TBL
	SOILPARM.TBL

CLM (Option 5):
	LANDUSE.TBL
	CLM_ALB_ICE_DFS_DATA
	CLM_ALB_ICE_DRC_DATA
	CLM_ASM_ICE_DFS_DATA
	CLM_ASM_ICE_DRC_DATA
	CLM_DRDSDT0_DATA
	CLM_EXT_ICE_DFS_DATA
	CLM_EXT_ICE_DRC_DATA
	CLM_DRDSDT0_DATA
	CLM_EXT_ICE_DFS_DATA
	CLM_EXT_ICE_DRC_DATA
	CLM_KAPPA_DATA
	CLM_TAU_DATA

PX (Option 7):
	LANDUSE.TBL
	VEGPARM.TBL

SSiB (Option 8):
	LANDUSE.TBL

Wind-farm SFC Layer (windturbine_spec = 1)
	wind-turbine-1.tbl

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radiation

RRTM (ra_lw_physics Option 1): 
	RRTM_DATA
	RRTM_DATA_DBL
        (Since V4.4, using these files becomes a runtime option. *.SSP245 is linked by default)
	        CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A1B
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A2
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP4.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP6
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP8.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP119
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP126
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP245
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP370
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP585

CAM (Option 3):
        aerosol.formatted
        aerosol_lat.formatted
        aerosol_lon.formatted
        aerosol_plev.formatted
        CAM_ABS_DATA
        CAM_AEROPT_DATA
        (if o3input=2 - default)
        	ozone.formatted
        	ozone_lat.formatted
        	ozone_plev.formatted
        (Since V4.4, using these files becomes a runtime option. *.SSP245 is linked by default)
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A1B
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A2
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP4.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP6
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP8.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP119
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP126
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP245
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP370
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP585

RRTMG (Option 4,24,14):
	RRTMG_LW_DATA
	RRTMG_LW_DATA_DBL
	RRTMG_SW_DATA
	RRTMG_SW_DATA_DBL
        aerosol.formatted
        aerosol_lat.formatted
        aerosol_lon.formatted
        aerosol_plev.formatted
        (if o3input=2 - default)
        	ozone.formatted
        	ozone_lat.formatted
        	ozone_plev.formatted
        (Since V4.4, using these files becomes a runtime option. *.SSP245 is linked by default)
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A1B
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.A2
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP4.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP6
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.RCP8.5
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP119
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP126
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP245
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP370
        	CAMtr_volume_mixing_ratio.SSP585

Goddard (Option 5):
	BROADBAND_CLOUD_GODDARD.bin

GFDL (Option 99):
	co2_trans
	tr49t67
	tr49t85
	tr67t85

Eclipse option (ra_sw_eclipse = 1)
        eclipse_besselian_elements.dat

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Options:

Urban Physics, no LCZ (sf_urban_physics = 1, 2, & 3)
	URBPARM.TBL

Urban Physics (sf_urban_physics = 1, 2, and 3) with LCZ (use_wudapt_lcz = 1)
	URBPARM_LCZ.TBL

Chemistry (chem_opt = 112, 114, 111, 201, 202)
	HLC.TBL