Title: Mean-state acceleration of cloud-resolving models and large eddy simulations: CRM AND LES MEAN-STATE ACCELERATION

Abstract

In this study, large eddy simulations and cloud-resolving models (CRMs) are routinely used to simulate boundary layer and deep convective cloud processes, aid in the development of moist physical parameterization for global models, study cloud-climate feedbacks and cloud-aerosol interaction, and as the heart of superparameterized climate models. These models are computationally demanding, placing practical constraints on their use in these applications, especially for long, climate-relevant simulations. In many situations, the horizontal-mean atmospheric structure evolves slowly compared to the turnover time of the most energetic turbulent eddies. We develop a simple scheme to reduce this time scale separation to accelerate the evolution of the mean state. Using this approach we are able to accelerate the model evolution by a factor of 2–16 or more in idealized stratocumulus, shallow and deep cumulus convection without substantial loss of accuracy in simulating mean cloud statistics and their sensitivity to climate change perturbations. As a culminating test, we apply this technique to accelerate the embedded CRMs in the Superparameterized Community Atmosphere Model by a factor of 2, thereby showing that the method is robust and stable to realistic perturbations across spatial and temporal scales typical in a GCM.

Authors:

Jones, C. R. ^[1]; Bretherton, C. S. ^[1]; Pritchard, M. S. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle Washington USA
2. Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine California USA

Publication Date:

Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC)

OSTI Identifier:

1619305

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1243064

Grant/Contract Number:  

SC0012152; SC0012451; SC0012548

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems Journal Volume: 7 Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 1942-2466

Publisher:

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES