Hybrid vertical coordinate

From Glossary of Meteorology



hybrid vertical coordinate

A vertical coordinate for atmospheric models that changes from one standard coordinate (for instance, the terrain-following sigma coordinate system) to another coordinate system as a function of height.

For instance, hybrid coordinates allow a model to accrue the benefits of pressure or isentropic coordinates in the upper model layers where the use of a terrain-following coordinate is disadvantageous while avoiding technical difficulties associated with the use of a nonterrain following coordinate near the ground.
See isentropic vertical coordinate, height vertical coordinate, vertical coordinate system.


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