Prepare the environment

Before you can run LISVAP, you need to:

  1. Prepare base maps
  2. Prepare input dataset
  3. Prepare the XML settings file

All input to LISVAP is provided as maps (grid files in PCRaster format or maps in netCDF format).

1. Base maps

LISVAP needs some base maps representing areas of simulation. These basemaps must be coherent with input dataset, which means having same area (or containing it), and projection.

The following Table lists input base maps.

Table: LISVAP base maps

Map name in settings file Default name Description
GENERAL    
MaskMap area.nc Boolean map that defines model boundaries
TOPOGRAPHY    
Dem dem.nc Elevation, in [m] above sea level
Lat lat.nc Latitude [decimal degrees]

Some parameters can be set as a single value (constant) in settings file or as a base input map in case they change for different regions of the simulation area. Check settings file reference for more details.

Generating base maps

On the repository, you can find some base maps for the test case.

It is recommended to generate the input base maps depending on the specific use case, taking into account the spatial resolution required and the coordinate system. In the future, a more detailed documentation assisting in the generation of input base maps will be made available.

2. Meteorological input datasets

LISVAP needs meteorological variables as input. Those should be provided as netCDF mapstacks (timeseries of 2D georeferenced variables). The Table below lists all meteorological input variables that LISVAP can digest. However, not all of these need to be provided as demonstrated by the examples below.

Table: LISVAP meteorological input variables

Map stack Default prefix Description
TEMPERATURE    
TMaxMaps tx Maximum daily temperature [°C or K]
TMinMaps tn Minimum daily temperature [°C or K]
TAvgMaps ta Average daily temperature [°C or K]
VAPOUR PRESSURE    
TDewMaps td Average daily dew point temperature [°C or K]
EActMaps pd Actual vapour pressure [mbar]
PSurfMaps ps Instantaneous sea level pressure [Pa]
WIND SPEED    
WindMaps ws Wind speed at 10 m height [m/s]
WindUMaps wu Wind speed at 10 m height, U-component [m/s]
WindVMaps wv Wind speed at 10 m height, V-component [m/s]
SUNSHINE    
SunMaps s Sunshine duration [hours]
CloudMaps c Cloud cover [octas]
RADIATION    
RgdMaps rg Downward surface solar radiation [J/m^2/d]
RNMaps rn Net thermal radiation [J/m^2/d] (always negative!)
RdsMaps rds Downward short wave radiation [W/m^2]
RdlMaps rdl Down long wave radiation [W/m^2]
RusMaps rus rus - up short wave radiation [W/m^2]
RulMaps rul rul - up long wave radiation [W/m^2]
HUMIDITY    
QAirMaps huss 2 m instantaneous specific humidity [kg/kg]

The tables below provide two examples of datasets that are used to run LISVAP. The first one is derived from the meteorological data collection from EFAS (European Flood Awaress System), the second from CORDEX. We use those in the LISVAP use cases section to demonstrate how to use LISVAP.

Table: Meteorological input variables from EFAS data collection

Variable name Description
PD Actual vapour pressure [mbar]
RG rgd - calculated solar radiation [W/m2]
TN Minimum daily temperature [deg C]
TX Maximum daily temperature [deg C]
WS Wind speed at 10 m from surface [m/s]

Table: Meteorological input variables from the CORDEX data collection

Variable name Description
PS Instantaneous sea level pressur [Pa]
HUSS 2 m instantaneous specific humidity [kg/kg]
tmin Minimum daily temperature [K]
tmax Maximum daily temperature [K]
sfcWind Wind speed at 10 m from surface [m/s]
RSDS Downward short wave radiation [W/m^2]
RLDS Down long wave radiation [W/m^2]
RSUS Up short wave radiation [W/m^2]
RLUS Up long wave radiation [W/m^2]

The GitHub tests folder also contains an example of application of LISVAP to compute $ET0$, $ES0$, and $EW0$ for the implementation of GloFAS (Global Flood Awareness System).

Table: Meteorological input variables used in the GLOFAS example

Variable name Description
rg incoming solar radiation [J/m^2/d]
rn net longwave radiation maps [J/m^2/d]
ta average temperature [K]
td dew point temperature [K]
wu Wind speed at 10 m from surface, u component [m/s]
wv Wind speed at 10 m from surface, v component [m/s]

Organisation of input data

It is up to the user how the input data are organised. However, it is advised to keep the base maps and meteorological input maps separated (i.e. store them in separate directories).

For practical reasons the following input structure is suggested:

  • all meteorological input maps are in one directory (e.g. ‘meteoIn’)
  • all base maps are in one directory (e.g. ‘mapsIn’)
  • all output goes into one directory (e.g. ‘out’)

The following Figure illustrates this:

img

Figure: Suggested file structure for LISVAP.