Simulating deep convective clouds with an assumed joint PDF approach
Authors
Minghuai Wang — Nanjing University
Mikhail Ovchinnikov — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Vincent Larson — University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Steven J. Ghan — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Philip Rasch — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Category
Shallow-Deep Convective Transition
Description
In this study, a cloud parameterization based on an assumed, dynamics-PDF approach, called Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB), is used to represent subgrid-scale effects of deep convective clouds in a convection-permitting model. Three deep convective cases, including two continental cases (ARM97 and MC3E) and one oceanic case (TWP-ICE), are considered. Simulation sensitivities to different microphysical schemes (single-moment vs. two-moment), different coupling approaches between CLUBB and cloud microphysics, and different horizontal resolutions are explored. Our results suggest that model results are sensitive to the coupling approaches between CLUBB and cloud microphysics, and a fractional cloudiness scheme coupled with the two-moment microphysics produces better comparison with observations.Lead PI
Minghuai Wang — Nanjing University