Accessing Surface Pressure within CAM Module

[skc48@cornell_edu]

Hi,I am looking to access the value of the surface pressure at a gridbox for use in a parameterization I am trying to implement within the mo_lightning.F90 module in CAM5. In looking at other examples in the code I came across the reference "state(c)%ps(i)" which I assume gives the surface pressure at a chunk "c" and column "i." When I print out the value of this to a log file however I am getting values between 600 and 700 hPa, which are too low to be surface pressures. I'm wondering if anyone has encountered this issue before or has suggestions for the best way to go about accessing the surface pressure within CAM5.Thank you for your help,Spencer

 

[eaton]

The surface pressure is in the state object, state%ps as you've seen.  Pressures between 600 and 700 hPa are certainly reasonable at certain spots on the globe. 

 

[santos]

I don't know how many of those values you are getting, but 700 hPa is completely reasonable for columns located over tall mountain ranges. Some columns may have an average surface height that's several kilometers above sea level, so ps is much lower than 1000 hPa at those columns.

 

[skc48@cornell_edu]

Yes, I understand that in some locations these pressures might be reasonable, but the issue is that I'm seeing these values at all columns (and gridboxes). I see no columns where the surface pressure is near 1000 hPa, which makes me wonder whether I am doing things correctly. Spencer

 

[eaton]

We'll need more info about what you're trying to do to be able to help.