Insights from preliminary modeling and observational evaluation of a precipitating continental cumulus event observed during the MC3E field campaign

Description

A case of extensive precipitating cumulus congestus sampled during the MC3E field campaign is analyzed using a multi-sensor observational approach and numerical simulation. The ARM SGP (Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Southern Great Plains) radar suite characterizes the evolving statistical behavior of the precipitating cloud system through distributions of reflectivity and different measures of cloud geometry. Large-eddy simulation (LES) with size-resolved (bin) microphysics is employed to determine the forcings most important in producing the salient aspects of the cloud system captured in the radar observations. Specifically, we address how the characteristic spatial scale of the forcing imposed on the simulation influences the evolution of cloud system properties. Additionally, the importance of time-varying vs. steady-state large-scale forcing is evaluated in assessing the model’s ability to capture the transient behavior of the cloud system sampled by the radar suite. The long-term goal of this effort is to promote cross-pollination between high-resolution cloud radar observations and LES.