Intercomparison and Evaluation of Cumulus Parameterizations under Summertime Midlatitude Continental Conditions

Conference · Thu May 17 04:00:00 EDT 2001

OSTI ID:798777

Xie, S ^[1]; Cederwall, R T; Yio, J J; Xu, K M

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1. LLNL

Parameterization of cumulus convection in general circulation model (GCM) has been recognized as one of the most important and complex issues in the model physical parameterizations. In earlier studies, most cumulus parameterizations were developed and evaluated using data observed over tropical oceans, such as the GATE (the Global Atmospheric Research Program's Atlantic Tropical Experiment) data. This is partly due to inadequate field measurements in the midlatitudes. In this study, we compare and evaluate a total of eight types of the state-of-the-art cumulus parameterizations used in fifteen Single-Column Models (SCM) under the summertime midlatitude continental conditions using the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) summer 1997 Intensive Operational Period (IOP) data, which covers several continental convection events. The purpose is to systematically compare and evaluate the performance of these cumulus parameterizations under summertime midlatitude continental conditions. Through the study we hope to identify strengths and weaknesses of these cumulus parameterizations that will lead to further improvements. Here, we briefly present our most interesting results. A full description of this study can be seen in Xie et al. (2001).

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (US)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 798777
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-142040-REV-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONVECTION
EVALUATION
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
PERFORMANCE
RADIATIONS
USA