Incorporation of the CORINE land cover dataset into the WRF-NoahMP model

Land cover information is fundamental in numerical weather prediction and climate modelling because of its impact on the land surface heat, momentum, and moisture fluxes. A new land cover (LC) dataset for the European region is introduced here for the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model coupled with the Noah-MP surface scheme. As part of the Copernicus program the satellite-based Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) LC dataset is available for most of the European continent at high resolution (100 m). This dataset provides a more detailed land cover classification compared to the default WRF LC database over Europe. Its potential applications range from urban numerical studies to regional climate modelling. The CORINE dataset is incorporated into WRF at two different resolutions of 0.00208333° and 0.00416666°. Furthermore, the original 44-category CORINE LC for the WRF model is converted to the USGS LC categories for applications where less detailed but still up-to-date information is desired. It is shown that the application of the CORINE LC dataset not only affects near-surface temperatures (by ≈1 °C on average and ≈3-6 °C over urban areas) but precipitation, snow cover, and wind speed as well.