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Title: Assessment of marine boundary layer cloud simulations in the CAM with CLUBB and updated microphysics scheme based on ARM observations from the Azores

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD025274· OSTI ID:1342072
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
  3. Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Abstract To assess marine boundary layer (MBL) cloud simulations in three versions of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), three sets of short‐term global hindcasts are performed and compared to Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) observations on Graciosa Island in the Azores from June 2009 to December 2010. The three versions consist of CAM5.3 with default schemes (CAM5.3), CAM5.3 with Cloud Layers Unified By Binormals (CLUBB‐MG1), and CAM5.3 with CLUBB and updated microphysics scheme (CLUBB‐MG2). Our results show that relative to CAM5.3 default schemes, simulations with CLUBB better represent MBL cloud base height, the height of the major cloud layer, and the daily cloud cover variability. CLUBB also better simulates the relationship of cloud fraction to cloud liquid water path (LWP) most likely due to CLUBB's consistent treatment of these variables through a probability distribution function (PDF) approach. Subcloud evaporation of precipitation is substantially enhanced in simulations with CLUBB‐MG2 and is more realistic based on the limited observational estimate. Despite these improvements, all model versions underestimate MBL cloud cover. CLUBB‐MG2 reduces biases in in‐cloud LWP (clouds are not too bright) but there are still too few of MBL clouds due to an underestimate in the frequency of overcast scenes. Thus, combining CLUBB with MG2 scheme better simulates MBL cloud processes, but because biases remain in MBL cloud cover CLUBB‐MG2 does not improve the simulation of the surface shortwave cloud radiative effect (CRE SW ).

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1342072
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1402239
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-680743
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 121, Issue 14; ISSN 2169-897X
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 16 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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