Statistically Steady State Large-Eddy Simulations Forced by an Idealized GCM: 1. Forcing Framework and Simulation Characteristics

Shen, Zhaoyi; Pressel, Kyle G.; Tan, Zhihong; Schneider, Tapio

doi:10.1029/2019MS001814

Title: Statistically Steady State Large-Eddy Simulations Forced by an Idealized GCM: 1. Forcing Framework and Simulation Characteristics

Journal Article · Sat Jan 25 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2019MS001814· OSTI ID:1605554

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California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science and Engineering
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science and Engineering and Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL)

Using large-eddy simulations (LES) systematically has the potential to inform parameterizations of subgrid-scale (SGS) processes in general circulation models (GCMs), such as turbulence, convection, and clouds. Here we show how LES can be run to emulate grid columns of GCMs to generate a library of LES across a cross-section of dynamical regimes. The LES setup replicates the thermodynamic and water budgets in GCM grid columns. Resolved horizontal and vertical transports of heat and water and large-scale pressure gradients from the GCM are prescribed as forcing in the LES. The LES satisfies the same (slab-ocean) surface boundary conditions as the GCM, leaving the LES temperatures free to adjust. Radiative transfer is treated in a unied but highly idealized manner (a semi-gray atmosphere without cloud radiative effects) in both the GCM and LES. We show that the LES with these forcing and boundary conditions reaches statistically steady states without nudging to reference profiles. These steady states provide a training dataset for developing GCM parameterizations. The same LES setup also provides a good basis for studying the cloud response to global warming.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Mountain Philanthropies; EarthRise Alliance; Charles Trimble; Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF); Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830; 1835860

OSTI ID:: 1605554

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-144935

Journal Information:: Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, Vol. 12, Issue 2; ISSN 1942-2466

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 6 works

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