High-resolution model simulations of MC3E deep convective-precipitation systems: Comparison with radar and aircraft in-situ measurements
Authors
NASA GSFC — NASA GSFC
Di Wu — NASA
Xiaowen Li — Morgan State University
Ann M. Fridlind — NASA - Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Stephen Edward Lang — NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center
Andrew Ackerman — NASA - Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Xiquan Dong — University of Arizona
Jingyu Wang —
Greg McFarquhar — University of Oklahoma
Wei Wu — University of Oklahoma
Category
Mesoscale Convective Organization and Cold Pools
Description
The Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) is a joint NASA GPM and DOE ASR field campaign that took place in central Oklahoma from 22 April to 6 June 2011. Some of its major objectives involve the use of high-resolution cloud-resolving models (CRMs) in precipitation science and include: (1) testing the fidelity of CRM simulations via intensive statistical comparisons between simulated and observed cloud properties and (2) establishing the limits of CRM space-time integration capabilities for quantitative precipitation estimates. The NASA-Unified Weather Research and Forecasting model (NU-WRF) with the improved Goddard 4ICE microphysics scheme was used at high resolution (1km grid) to simulate two major deep convective-precipitation systems on May 20 and May 23-24. Model simulated radar reflectivity, surface rainfall, and hydrometeor particle drop size distributions are compared with ground-based observations (National 3D Mosaic and NEXRAD QPE) and in-situ aircraft measurements (Citation). In addition, sensitivity tests are conducted to examine the impact of microphysics schemes (3ICE vs 4ICE and one moment vs two moment) on the simulated cloud and precipitation properties including cool pool strength and dynamic processes.Lead PI
Ann M. Fridlind — NASA - Goddard Institute for Space Studies