A Python interface to the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation

Abstract

We present a Python interface for the Dutch Atmospheric Large Eddy Simulation (DALES), an existing Fortran code for high-resolution, turbulence-resolving simulation of atmospheric physics. The interface is based on an infrastructure for remote and parallel function calls and makes it possible to use and control the DALES weather simulations from a Python context. The interface is designed within the OMUSE framework, and allows the user to set up and control the simulation, apply perturbations and forcings, collect and analyse data in real time without exposing the user to the details of setting up and running the parallel Fortran DALES code. Another significant possibility is coupling the DALES simulation to other models, for example larger scale numerical weather prediction (NWP) models that can supply realistic lateral boundary conditions. Finally, the Python interface to DALES can serve as an educational tool for exploring weather dynamics, which we demonstrate with an example Jupyter notebook.