A compatible finite element discretisation for the nonhydrostatic vertical slice equations (Q6082209)

The authors are concerned with an atmospheric prediction model based on compressible Euler equations in a vertical slice geometry. In order to numerically evaluate this model, they use a compatible finite element method (FEM) along with a fully implicit finite difference stepping scheme for time integration. The compatible FEM offers linear stability i.e., the spurious pressure modes are absent. The authors pay a particular attention to various discretisation meshes, the construction of suitable FEM spaces, time discretisation and iterative solvers as well as to the computation of a background density profile that is in hydrostatic balance. Four tests concerning numerical weather prediction are carried out, namely, gravity waves, density current, flow over a mountain and a more challenging mountain wave test. The numerical results seem robust and compare well with others obtained using similar models.