Impact of subgrid-scale radiative heating variability on the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus transition in climate models
Abstract
Subgrid-scale interactions between turbulence and radiation are potentially important for accurately reproducing marine low clouds in climate models. To better understand the impact of these interactions, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is configured for large eddy simulation (LES) to study the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus (Sc-to-Cu) transition. Using the GEWEX Atmospheric System Studies (GASS) composite Lagrangian transition case and the Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) case, it is shown that the lack of subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interaction, as is the case in current generation climate models, accelerates the Sc-to-Cu transition. Our analysis suggests that in cloud-topped boundary layers subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interactions contribute to stronger production of temperature variance, which in turn leads to stronger buoyancy production of turbulent kinetic energy and helps to maintain the Sc cover.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1133231
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-98750
47809; KP1501021
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research. D. (Atmospheres), 119(7):4192–4203
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. D. (Atmospheres), 119(7):4192–4203
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
Citation Formats
Xiao, Heng, Gustafson, William I., and Wang, Hailong. Impact of subgrid-scale radiative heating variability on the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus transition in climate models. United States: N. p., 2014.
Web. doi:10.1002/2013JD020999.
Xiao, Heng, Gustafson, William I., & Wang, Hailong. Impact of subgrid-scale radiative heating variability on the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus transition in climate models. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD020999
Xiao, Heng, Gustafson, William I., and Wang, Hailong. 2014.
"Impact of subgrid-scale radiative heating variability on the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus transition in climate models". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD020999.
@article{osti_1133231,
title = {Impact of subgrid-scale radiative heating variability on the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus transition in climate models},
author = {Xiao, Heng and Gustafson, William I. and Wang, Hailong},
abstractNote = {Subgrid-scale interactions between turbulence and radiation are potentially important for accurately reproducing marine low clouds in climate models. To better understand the impact of these interactions, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is configured for large eddy simulation (LES) to study the stratocumulus-to-trade cumulus (Sc-to-Cu) transition. Using the GEWEX Atmospheric System Studies (GASS) composite Lagrangian transition case and the Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) case, it is shown that the lack of subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interaction, as is the case in current generation climate models, accelerates the Sc-to-Cu transition. Our analysis suggests that in cloud-topped boundary layers subgrid-scale turbulence-radiation interactions contribute to stronger production of temperature variance, which in turn leads to stronger buoyancy production of turbulent kinetic energy and helps to maintain the Sc cover.},
doi = {10.1002/2013JD020999},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1133231},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research. D. (Atmospheres), 119(7):4192–4203},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 29 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Tue Apr 29 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}