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Understanding the Microphysical Control and Spatial-Temporal Variability of Warm Rain Probability Using CloudSat and MODIS ObservationsBy combining measurements from MODIS and the CloudSat radar, we develop a parameterization scheme to quantify the combined microphysical controls by liquid water path (LWP) and cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) of the probability of precipitation (PoP) in marine low cloud over tropical oceans. We demonstrate that the spatial-temporal variation of grid-mean in-cloud can be largely explained by the variation of the joint probability density function of LWP and CDNC in the phase space specified by the bivariate PoP (LWP and CDNC) function. Through a series of sensitivity tests guided by this understanding, we find that in the Southeastern Pacific and Atlantic the stratocumulus to cumulus transition of the is mainly due to the variation of CDNC while the annual cycle is mainly due to the variation of LWP. The results of this study provide a viable way to diagnose the root cause of warm rain problems in global climate models.
Document ID
20220012409
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Accepted Manuscript (Version with final changes)
Authors
Zhibo Zhang ORCID
(University of Maryland, Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland, United States)
Lazaros Oreopoulos ORCID
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Matthew D. Lebsock ORCID
(Jet Propulsion Lab La Cañada Flintridge, California, United States)
David B. Mechem ORCID
(University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, United States)
Justin Covert
(University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2022
Publication Date
May 13, 2022
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher: Wiley / American Geophysical Union
Volume: 49
Issue: 10
Issue Publication Date: May 28, 2022
ISSN: 0094-8276
e-ISSN: 1944-8007
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 967701.02.01.02.48
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC22M0001
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NM0018D0004P00002
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-SC0020057
CONTRACT_GRANT: UMBC OFED0010-01
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-SC0016522
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF/MRI CNS-0821258
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF/MRI CNS-1228778
CONTRACT_GRANT: SCREMS DMS-0821311
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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