List of detailed output variable list

[csp]

Hello experts,
I started using the CESM-SCAM model, and now I am trying to validate some initial cases. I want to validate the experimental work against the model prediction. Effectively, wanted to compare the average number concentration of droplets for convective and stratus clouds independently. In the NetCDF file, I found 3 variables related:

1. AWNC ( 32 A Average cloud water number conc)
2. ICWNC (32 A Prognostic in-cloud water number conc)
3. QNLZM (32 A Cloud liquid water number concen - ZM convection)

I checked every possible way, to get more details, for instance:

1. ncdump -h > list.txt

2. checking the output log file inside:

   ~/OUTPUT/CESM/scratch/archive/casename/logs

But, as of now not at all clear, what variable is exactly signifying what? Maybe to extend my question in a general sense: could I get this detailed information for any variable through any systematic way? Any comment/suggestion would be very helpful and appreciated, many thanks in advance.

 

[cacraig]

I would suggest that you look in the source code for each of these variables as you can see exactly how they are calculated. To do this:

• cd src; grep -r QNLZM
• look for the outfld call which writes out the variable QNLZM
• The outfld call is: call outfld('QNLZM' ,conv%qnl ,pcols, lchnk) and is in src/physics/cam/zm_conv_intr.F90
• The second parameter in outfld is the variable which is being output, in this case conv%qnl
• You can then look into the zm_conv_intr.F90 routine, find the outfld call and search backwards to see how conv%qnl is calculated

You can repeat these for the other two variables.

 

[csp]

Thanks a lot @cacraig for your detailed response.