Results and Output

Each time ATMOS-BUD is executed, it generates a comprehensive set of results organized within a newly created directory inside the ATMOS-BUD_Results folder, located in the same directory as the main program. The name of each results directory is based on the input filename, appended with _method, where method refers to the analysis framework used during the run: either fixed, track, or choose, corresponding to the Fixed, Semi-Lagrangian, or Interactive frameworks.

Users may specify the pressure level (e.g., 700, 850 hPa) for all analyses, as well as independently select whether to track the minimum or maximum of vorticity and/or geopotential height via command-line options. Most diagnostics and outputs reflect these user-defined settings.

Directory Structure and Contents

Within each results directory, you will find the following files and subdirectories:

heat_terms/

Contains CSV files with vertically resolved time series for each term in the heat budget equation:

  • AdvHTemp.csv: Horizontal advection of temperature

  • AdvVTemp.csv: Vertical advection of temperature

  • dTdt.csv: Temporal derivative of temperature

  • Sigma.csv: Sigma term (static stability)

  • Omega.csv: Omega term (vertical motion)

  • ResT.csv: Residual term (subtraction of all other terms, if multiplied by Cp_d becomes the Adiabatic heating)

moisture_terms/

Contains the following diagnostic files:

  • dQdt.csv, dQdt_integrated.csv: Temporal derivative of specific humidity and its vertical integration

  • divQ.csv, divQ_integrated.csv: Horizontal divergence of moisture flux and its integrated value

  • WaterBudgetResidual.csv, WaterBudgetResidual_integrated.csv: Residual of the water vapor budget equation

vorticity_terms/

Contains terms related to the vorticity budget:

  • dZdt.csv: Temporal derivative of relative vorticity

  • AdvHZeta.csv, AdvVZeta.csv: Horizontal and vertical advection of vorticity

  • ZetaDivH.csv: Term from divergence acting on vorticity

  • vxBeta.csv: Meridional advection of planetary vorticity (v·β)

  • Tilting.csv: Tilting term (baroclinic)

  • ResZ.csv: Residual of the vorticity budget

  • Zeta.csv: Raw relative vorticity data over time

Figures/

Visual outputs generated during the run:

  • timeseries-min_max_zeta_hgt.png: Time series of the minimum or maximum vorticity and geopotential height (according to user-defined options) at the user-selected pressure level

  • hovmoller_mean_zeta.png: Hovmöller diagram of mean relative vorticity across pressure levels and time

  • track_boxes.png: Map showing the cyclone track and dynamically selected analysis boxes (only for ``track`` and ``choose`` frameworks)

Figures/boxes/

Contains individual maps for each time step at the user-selected pressure level (default: 850 hPa):

  • Displays vorticity, geopotential height, and the selected analysis domain

  • Marks positions of the minimum or maximum vorticity, minimum or maximum geopotential height, and maximum wind speed, according to user configuration

  • The tracked extremes (min/max) and the pressure level shown are fully customizable by the user via command-line options

Log File

  • log.<input>: Records all execution steps, including detected issues and time tracking

Understanding the Output

The output files provide both quantitative diagnostics (CSV, NetCDF) and qualitative insights (visualizations) into the evolution of the atmospheric system.

  • The modular structure of heat, moisture, and vorticity terms allows researchers to isolate processes, calculate residuals, and evaluate consistency between different atmospheric budgets.

  • Track files ensure replicability in semi-lagrangian and interactive experiments.

  • The log file offers full traceability of execution.