Framework for idealized climate simulations with spatiotemporal stochastic clouds and planetary-scale circulations

Huang, Tianhong; Stechmann, Samuel N.; Torchinsky, Jason L.

doi:10.1103/physrevfluids.7.010502

Title: Framework for idealized climate simulations with spatiotemporal stochastic clouds and planetary-scale circulations

Journal Article · 01 January 2022 · Physical Review Fluids (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevfluids.7.010502 · OSTI ID:1980209

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Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); OSTI
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

In climate predictions, clouds are the leading source of uncertainty. This is partly because, to simulate the fluid dynamics of climate over the entire globe, a large grid spacing must be used, so clouds are a subgrid-scale parametrization rather than a resolved feature. Here, a framework is investigated with finer grid spacing of O(1) or O(10)km so that some clouds are not subgrid-scale; instead, clouds evolve on the numerical grid. This cloud evolution is achieved using stochastic modeling. Hence, the framework is idealized in the sense that the full fluid dynamics of cloud circulations is still not resolved, and simplified vertical structures are used. Nevertheless, the fluid dynamics model includes evolving clouds that interactively adjust in size, shape, lifetime, and regional coverage. In addition, different cloud types are included with different roles in the climate system, including deep convective clouds and also boundary-layer clouds such as shallow cumulus and stratocumulus clouds. Other basic aspects of the idealized climate system are planetary-scale circulations (e.g., Walker circulation) and radiation. With these ingredients (evolving clouds, planetary-scale circulations, and radiation), the framework has the potential for idealized investigations of climate change with interactive cloud–radiative feedback of individual clouds. Here, the formulation of the model equations is presented, and numerical simulations are shown to illustrate the model dynamics and climate change.

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Research Organization:: Krell Institute, Ames, IA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0020347

OSTI ID:: 1980209

Journal Information:: Physical Review Fluids (Online), Journal Name: Physical Review Fluids (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 7; ISSN 2469-990X

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Framework for idealized climate simulations with spatiotemporal stochastic clouds and planetary-scale circulations

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