Cloud-resolving Model (cloud-resolving + model)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Multi-scale analysis of the 25,27 July 2006 convective period over Niamey: Comparison between Doppler radar observations and simulations

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue S1 2010
Christelle Barthe
Abstract The present study investigates the multi-scale processes associated with a sequence of convective events that occurred over Niamey during the period 25,26 July 2006. This period corresponds to the active stage of the first intense monsoon surge over Sahel for 2006. During this two-day period, two successive sequences of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) were located ahead of and in phase with the trough of an African Easterly Wave (AEW). They were followed by suppressed or isolated convection behind the trough and in the vicinity of the ridge. The large AMMA-SOP dataset, in particular the UHF radar and the MIT Doppler radar in Niamey, are used in combination with a low-resolution (5 km) cloud-resolving model to understand the convection organization and its interaction with the environment. Several initial and boundary conditions have been tested, but only the simulation starting with the ECMWF AMMA reanalysis succeeds in reproducing the observed features; this emphasizes the importance of the initial state. From the simulated MCSs, the along-line component of the apparent source of momentum due to the convection is found to be up to 1 m s,1h,1. It seems that MCSs globally reduce the monsoon flow and generate southerlies at mid levels which can reinforce the rotation of the wind at the passage of the trough. During the afternoon of 26 July, the local convection over Niamey resulted from some favourable factors (humidity, CAPE, CIN) that triggered convection, while inhibiting factors (mid-level dry layer, weaker low-level wind shear pointing to the north, anticyclonic curvature of the streamlines at 700 hPa) prevented it organizing itself and propagating. In particular, the low-level wind shear seems of critical importance. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [source]


A contribution by ice nuclei to global warming

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 643 2009
Xiping Zeng
Abstract Ice nuclei (IN) significantly affect clouds via supercooled droplets, that in turn modulate atmospheric radiation and thus climate change. Since the IN effect is relatively strong in stratiform clouds but weak in convective ones, the overall effect depends on the ratio of stratiform to convective cloud amount. In this paper, ten years of TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) satellite data are analyzed to confirm that stratiform precipitation fraction increases with increasing latitude, which implies that the IN effect is stronger at higher latitudes. To quantitatively evaluate the IN effect versus latitude, large-scale forcing data from ten field campaigns are used to drive a cloud-resolving model to generate long-term cloud simulations. As revealed in the simulations, the increase in the net downward radiative flux at the top of the atmosphere from doubling the current IN concentrations is larger at higher latitude, which is attributed to the meridional tendency in the stratiform precipitation fraction. Surface warming from doubling the IN concentrations, based on the radiative balance of the globe, is compared with that from anthropogenic CO2. It is found that the former effect is stronger than the latter in middle and high latitudes but not in the Tropics. With regard to the impact of IN on global warming, there are two factors to consider: the radiative effect from increasing the IN concentration and the increase in IN concentration itself. The former relies on cloud ensembles and thus varies mainly with latitude. In contrast, the latter relies on IN sources (e.g. the land surface distribution) and thus varies not only with latitude but also longitude. Global desertification and industrialization provide clues on the geographic variation of the increase in IN concentration since pre-industrial times. Thus, their effect on global warming can be inferred and can then be compared with observations. A general match in geographic and seasonal variations between the inferred and observed warming suggests that IN may have contributed positively to global warming over the past decades, especially in middle and high latitudes. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source]


Modelling suppressed and active convection.

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 626 2007
Comparing a numerical weather prediction, cloud-resolving, single-column model
Abstract This paper describes the design of and basic results from a case study to compare simulations of convection over the Tropical West Pacific. Simulations are carried out using a cloud-resolving model (CRM), a global numerical weather prediction (NWP) model and a single-column version of the NWP model (SCM). The experimental design for each model type is discussed and then results are compared. The periods simulated each include a regime with strong convective activity, a much more suppressed regime with far less convection, as well as the transition between these regimes. The description of the design and basic results from this study are given in some detail, as a study including all these model types is relatively new. Comparing the local forcing due to the dynamics in the NWP model with the observed forcing used to drive the CRM and SCM it is found that there is good agreement for one period chosen but significant differences for another. This is also seen in fields such as rain rate and top-of-atmosphere radiation. Using the period with good agreement we are able to identify examples of biases in the NWP model that are also reproduced in the SCM. Also discussed are examples of biases in the NWP simulation that are not reproduced in the SCM. It is suggested that understanding which biases in the SCM are consistent with the full NWP model can help focus the use of an SCM in this framework. © Crown Copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source]


Momentum transport processes in the stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems over the western Pacific warm pool

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 616 2006
David B. Mechem
Abstract Momentum transport by the stratiform components of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during the Tropical Ocean,Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean,Atmosphere Response Experiment in December 1992 is investigated using a cloud-resolving model. The mesoscale momentum transport by the stratiform regions of MCSs is examined in two distinct large-scale flow regimes associated with the intraseasonal oscillation over the western Pacific warm pool. Model simulations for 14 December 1992 characterize the ,westerly onset' period, which has relatively weak low-level westerlies with easterlies above. Simulations for 23,24 December represent the ,strong westerly' regime, when westerlies extend from the upper troposphere to the surface, with a jet 2,3 km above the surface. In the westerly onset simulation, the extensive stratiform region of a MCS contained a broad region of descent that transported easterly momentum associated with the mid-level easterly jet downward. Thus, the stratiform regions acted as a negative feedback to decrease the large-scale mean westerly momentum developing at low levels. In the strong westerly regime, the mesoscale downward air motion in the stratiform regions of large MCSs transported westerly momentum downward and thus acted as a positive feedback, strengthening the already strong westerly momentum at low levels. Momentum fluxes by the mesoscale stratiform region downdraughts are shown to have a systematic and measurable impact on the large-scale momentum budget. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society. [source]


Cloud-resolving model simulations of multiply-banded frontal clouds

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 611 2005
M. Pizzamei
Abstract An idealized two-dimensional cloud-resolving model is used to investigate the formation and temporal evolution of multiply-banded clouds in frontal zones. Radar observations often show both upright and slantwise convection in the circulations associated with such bands. The aim is to examine the interaction between upright and slantwise convection and to determine the mechanisms leading to multiple banding. A warm bubble is used to initiate convection in the frontal zone, which has an initial thermodynamic profile based on observations. Further triggering occurs and banded clouds evolve. The initially upright plumes become tilted due to the so-called ,M adjustment process (upscale development). Observed multiple bands in frontal zones are frequently attributed to the release of conditional symmetric instability (CSI). However, in these simulations, there is no evidence of the release of CSI despite the fragmentation of slantwise bands into multiple layers in the mid-troposphere. Successive triggering of upright convection is instead associated with a spreading cold pool driven by evaporative cooling in the slanted downdraughts. Triggering can occur on both the warm- and cold-air sides of the frontal zone, and is sensitive to the microphysical parametrization used. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society. [source]


What causes the extremely heavy rainfall in Taiwan during Typhoon Morakot (2009)?

ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 1 2010
Dr Xuyang Ge
Abstract Despite its category-2 intensity only, Typhoon (tropical cyclone in the Western Pacific) Morakot produced a record-breaking rainfall in Taiwan. A cloud-resolving model is used to simulate this extreme rainfall event and understand the dynamic aspect under this event. Due to the interaction between Morakot and a monsoon system, a peripheral gale force monsoon surge appears to the south of Taiwan. The monsoon surge remains even in a sensitivity experiment in which Taiwan terrain is reduced. However, the rainfall amount in Taiwan is greatly reduced without high topography over Taiwan, suggesting the important role the local topography plays in producing heavy rainfall. The overall numerical results indicate that it is the interaction among the typhoon, monsoon system, and local terrain that led to this extreme event. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [source]