Sigma coordinate system

<p>The sigma coordinate system is a common coordinate system used in computational models for <a href="/facts/Oceanography/LtrG6peD">oceanography</a>, <a href="/facts/Meteorology/xblFr28q">meteorology</a> and other fields where <a href="/facts/Fluid_dynamics/y7uzSCfg">fluid dynamics</a> are relevant. This coordinate system receives its name from the independent variable 
  
    
      
        σ
      
    
    {\displaystyle \sigma }
  
 used to represent a <a href="/facts/Nondimensionalization/f2r2yqvb">scaled</a> <a href="/facts/Pressure/eyc37GRG">pressure</a> level.
</p><p>Models that use a sigma coordinate system include the <a href="/facts/Princeton_Ocean_Model/ssneqQhS">Princeton Ocean Model</a> (POM), the COupled Hydrodynamical Ecological model for REgioNal Shelf seas (COHERENS)<a href="http://www2.mumm.ac.be/coherens/index.php">[1]</a>, the <a href="/facts/ECMWF/qH28IAy2">ECMWF</a> <a href="/facts/Integrated_Forecast_System/YFqQyrn8">Integrated Forecast System</a>, and various other <a href="/facts/Numerical_weather_prediction/TXdbEfE4">numerical weather prediction</a> models.
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Sigma coordinate system open-in-new

Sigma coordinate system