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

Abstract

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 withmore » 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.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1]
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  1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1253683
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-412801
Journal ID: ISSN 0148-0227; JGREA2
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Geophysical Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 114; Journal Issue: D14; Journal ID: ISSN 0148-0227
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; climate model; cloud microphysics parameterization; mixed-phase clouds; uncertainty; observations

Citation Formats

Wang, Weiguo, Liu, Xiaohong, Xie, Shaocheng, Boyle, Jim, and McFarlane, Sally A. Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model Version 3 using Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment data. United States: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1029/2008JD011220.
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Wang, Weiguo, Liu, Xiaohong, Xie, Shaocheng, Boyle, Jim, & McFarlane, Sally A. Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model Version 3 using Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment data. United States. doi:10.1029/2008JD011220.
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Wang, Weiguo, Liu, Xiaohong, Xie, Shaocheng, Boyle, Jim, and McFarlane, Sally A. Thu . "Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model Version 3 using Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment data". United States. doi:10.1029/2008JD011220. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1253683.
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@article{osti_1253683,
title = {Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model Version 3 using Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment data},
author = {Wang, Weiguo and Liu, Xiaohong and Xie, Shaocheng and Boyle, Jim and McFarlane, Sally A.},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1029/2008JD011220},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research},
number = D14,
volume = 114,
place = {United States},
year = {2009},
month = {7}
}
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DOI:  10.1029/2008JD011220
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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    Microphysics parameterization for convective clouds in a global climate model: Description and single-column model tests
    journal, January 2011

    • Song, Xiaoliang; Zhang, Guang J.
    • Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 116, Issue D2
    • DOI: 10.1029/2010jd014833

    Testing cloud microphysics parameterizations in NCAR CAM5 with ISDAC and M-PACE observations
    journal, January 2011

    • Liu, Xiaohong; Xie, Shaocheng; Boyle, James
    • Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 116
    • DOI: 10.1029/2011jd015889
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