The model is based upon the Lipps and Hemler anelastic system, and is able to simulate all scales ranging from synoptic scale to turbulent large eddies, owing to interactive grid-nesting technique. Physical parametrizations are the 1.5-order closure turbulence scheme (Cuxart et al., 2000) with the Bougeault-Lacarrere (1989) mixing length, a warm microphysical scheme, the Kain-Fritsch-Bechtold convection scheme, the ECMWF radiation, a soil and vegetation scheme (Noilhan and Planton, 1989) and the Town Energy Balance scheme (Masson, 2000).

For CarboEurope experiment, a daily run of Meso-NH is provided for the next day on the experiment domain. Two interactive nested models of Meso-NH, centered on La Cape Sud site, are used, with a first domain covering 240km*240km area (8-km resolution) and a second domain covering 60km*60km area (2-km resolution). The vertical grid includes 40 levels until 16km. The initial and lateral  boundary conditions of the larger domain are provided by the NWP model ALADIN (0.1° resolution). Passive tracers are released in the eulerian model, from La Cape Sud, Biscarosse, Marmande and Bordeaux, in order to track air masses at regional scale and to help the choice of aircraft flights. Regional plumes are then provided, in addition to meteorological forecasted fields (horizontal winds, mixing heights, vertical profiles in the PBL).