Evaluation of autoconversion and accretion enhancement factors in general circulation model warm-rain parameterizations using ground-based measurements over the Azores

Wu, Peng; Xi, Baike; Dong, Xiquan; Zhang, Zhibo

doi:10.5194/acp-18-17405-2018

Title: Evaluation of autoconversion and accretion enhancement factors in general circulation model warm-rain parameterizations using ground-based measurements over the Azores

Journal Article · 06 December 2018 · Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-17405-2018 · OSTI ID:1484951

Wu, Peng;

; Dong, Xiquan;

A great challenge in climate modeling is how to parameterize subgrid cloud processes, such as autoconversion and accretion in warm-rain formation. In this study, we use ground-based observations and retrievals over the Azores to investigate the so-called enhancement factors, E_auto and E_accr, which are often used in climate models to account for the influence of subgrid variance of cloud and precipitation water on the autoconversion and accretion processes. E_auto and E_accr are computed for different equivalent model grid sizes. The calculated E_auto values increase from 1.96 (30km) to 3.2 (180km), and the calculated E_accr values increase from 1.53 (30km) to 1.76 (180km). Comparing the prescribed enhancement factors in Morrison and Gettleman (2008, MG08) to the observed ones, we found that a higher E_auto (3.2) at small grids and lower E_accr (1.07) are used in MG08, which might explain why most of the general circulation models (GCMs) produce too-frequent precipitation events but with too-light precipitation intensity. The ratios of the rain to cloud water mixing ratio (q_r/q_c) at E_accr=1.07 and E_accr=2.0 are 0.063 and 0.142, respectively, from observations, further suggesting that the prescribed value of E_accr=1.07 used in MG08 is too small to simulate precipitation intensity correctly. Both E_auto and E_accr increase when the boundary layer becomes less stable, and the values are larger in precipitating clouds (CLWP>75gm^-2) than those in non-precipitating clouds (CLWP<75gm^-2). Therefore, the selection of E_auto and E_accr values in GCMs should be regime- and resolution-dependent.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014641

OSTI ID:: 1484951

Journal Information:: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online), Journal Name: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online) Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 18; ISSN 1680-7324

Publisher:: Copernicus Publications, EGUCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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