Atmospheric moisture tracking

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/17080502/233834536-a82ca96d-e303-4592-a588-472097ebe6c5.mp4

This repository contains the source code of the WAM2layers moisture tracking code. It can be used to determine where precipitation originally evaporated (backtracking), or where evaporated moisture eventually ends up (forward tracking).

The animation above illustrates the concept of backtracking: you first see the water content and fluxes move forward in time (left panel). Midway through, the animation reverses and the moisture from the "source region" is tracked backward in time (right panel).

This code is currently developed by a core team: Ruud van der Ent (Delft University of Technology) Imme Benedict (Wageningen University) Chris Weijenborg (Wageningen University) Vincent de Feiter (Wageningen University) Peter Kalverla (Netherlands eScienceCenter)

How to use

See the documentation for a more detailed description. Still questions? Follow the flowchart below.

Other versions

This is the official codebase for the WAM-2layers moisture tracking model as of 18/03/2022, but there are still several other older versions around:

• Original Python code for ERA-Interim by Ruud van der Ent
• Adapted version for EC-Earth by Imme Benedict
• Adapted version for MERRA2 by Pat Keys
• Adapted version for ERA5 pressure levels by Mingzhong Xiao

Reuse and acknowledgement

We are actively developing the code at the moment, so it may be subject to change. We encourage anyone who is interested in re-using the code to get in touch. We may be able to help.

If you use the code for a publication, please cite it using the DOI of the appropriate release and the following paper: Contrasting roles of interception and transpiration in the hydrological cycle - Part 2: Moisture recycling