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Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model Version 3 using Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment data

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD011220· OSTI ID:1253683
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Here, cloud properties have been simulated with a new double-moment microphysics scheme under the framework of the single-column version of NCAR Community Atmospheric Model version 3 (CAM3). For comparison, the same simulation was made with the standard single-moment microphysics scheme of CAM3. Results from both simulations compared favorably with observations during the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment by the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program in terms of the temporal variation and vertical distribution of cloud fraction and cloud condensate. Major differences between the two simulations are in the magnitude and distribution of ice water content within the mixed-phase cloud during the monsoon period, though the total frozen water (snow plus ice) contents are similar. The ice mass content in the mixed-phase cloud from the new scheme is larger than that from the standard scheme, and ice water content extends 2 km further downward, which is in better agreement with observations. The dependence of the frozen water mass fraction on temperature from the new scheme is also in better agreement with available observations. Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) from the simulation with the new scheme is, in general, larger than that with the standard scheme, while the surface downward longwave radiation is similar. Sensitivity tests suggest that different treatments of the ice crystal effective radius contribute significantly to the difference in the calculations of TOA OLR, in addition to cloud water path. Numerical experiments show that cloud properties in the new scheme can respond reasonably to changes in the concentration of aerosols and emphasize the importance of correctly simulating aerosol effects in climate models for aerosol-cloud interactions. Further evaluation, especially for ice cloud properties based on in-situ data, is needed.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1253683
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 963593
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--412801
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: D14 Vol. 114; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (2)

Microphysics parameterization for convective clouds in a global climate model: Description and single-column model tests journal January 2011
Testing cloud microphysics parameterizations in NCAR CAM5 with ISDAC and M-PACE observations journal January 2011

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Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
climate model
cloud microphysics parameterization
mixed-phase clouds
observations
uncertainty