Default Flux Output Files - Image Driver

The primary output file type for the VIC Classic Driver is the flux file, which contains information about moisture and energy fluxes for each time step. The number of variables in this file depends on the values of FULL_ENERGY and FROZEN_SOIL in the global parameter file; when either FULL_ENERGY or FROZEN_SOIL are true, the file will contain the same number of variables as found in the PILPS-2C files for comparison purposes. Flux files are always written, regardless of the mode of operation. Flux file name is fluxes.**.nc, where ** is determined by AGGFREQ variable specified in the global parameter file.

The default flux output file is in netCDF format, with the same data structure described in the image driver output format. the list of default flux variables are:

Variable Name Dimension Units Description
OUT_PREC [time, lat, lon] mm Precipitation for current record
OUT_EVAP [time, lat, lon] mm Evaporation for current record
OUT_RUNOFF [time, lat, lon] mm Runoff for current record
OUT_BASEFLOW [time, lat, lon] mm Baseflow for current record
OUT_WDEW [time, lat, lon] mm Canopy interception of liquid water
OUT_SOIL_LIQ [time, nlayer, lat, lon] mm Moisture content of each soil layer
OUT_RAD_TEMP [time, lat, lon] K Radiative temperature of the surface (NOTE: only output when FULL_ENERGY or FROZEN_SOIL is TRUE in the global parameter file)
OUT_SWNET [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Net shortwave radiation at the surface
OUT_R_NET [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Net radiation at the surface, includes long and shortwave radiation
OUT_LATENT [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Latent heat from the surface (NOTE: only output when FULL_ENERGY or FROZEN_SOIL is TRUE in the global parameter file)
OUT_EVAP_CANOP [time, lat, lon] mm Evaporation from canopy storage
OUT_TRANSP_VEG [time, lat, lon] mm Transpiration from the vegetation
OUT_EVAP_BARE [time, lat, lon] mm Evaporation from bare soil
OUT_SUB_CANOP [time, lat, lon] mm Sublimation from canopy interception
OUT_SUB_SNOW [time, lat, lon] mm Sublimation from ground snow pack
OUT_SENSIBLE [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Sensible heat flux from the surface (NOTE: only output when FULL_ENERGY or FROZEN_SOIL is TRUE in the global parameter file)
OUT_GRND_FLUX [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Ground heat flux plus heat storage in the top soil layer
OUT_DELTAH [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Rate of change in heat storage
OUT_FUSION [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Net energy used to melt/freeze soil moisture
OUT_AERO_RESIST [time, lat, lon] s/m Aerodynamic resistance
OUT_SURF_TEMP [time, lat, lon] C Surface temperature
OUT_ALBEDO [time, lat, lon] fraction Albedo of surface cover
OUT_REL_HUMID [time, lat, lon] fraction Relative humidity
OUT_IN_LONG [time, lat, lon] W/m2 Incoming longwave at ground surface (under vegetation)
OUT_AIR_TEMP [time, lat, lon] C Air temperature
OUT_WIND [time, lat, lon] m/s Near surface wind speed