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Evaluation of Cloud-Resolving Model Intercomparison Simulations Using TWP-ICE Observations: Precipitation and Cloud StructureThe Tropical Warm Pool.International Cloud Experiment (TWP ]ICE) provided extensive observational data sets designed to initialize, force, and constrain atmospheric model simulations. In this first of a two ]part study, precipitation and cloud structures within nine cloud ]resolving model simulations are compared with scanning radar reflectivity and satellite infrared brightness temperature observations during an active monsoon period from 19 to 25 January 2006. Seven of nine simulations overestimate convective area by 20% or more leading to general overestimation of convective rainfall. This is balanced by underestimation of stratiform rainfall by 5% to 50% despite overestimation of stratiform area by up to 65% because of a preponderance of very low stratiform rain rates in all simulations. All simulations fail to reproduce observed radar reflectivity distributions above the melting level in convective regions and throughout the troposphere in stratiform regions. Observed precipitation ]sized ice reaches higher altitudes than simulated precipitation ]sized ice despite some simulations that predict lower than observed top ]of ]atmosphere infrared brightness temperatures. For the simulations that overestimate radar reflectivity aloft, graupel is the cause with one ]moment microphysics schemes whereas snow is the cause with two ]moment microphysics schemes. Differences in simulated radar reflectivity are more highly correlated with differences in mass mean melted diameter (Dm) than differences in ice water content. Dm is largely dependent on the mass ]dimension relationship and gamma size distribution parameters such as size intercept (N0) and shape parameter (m). Having variable density, variable N0, or m greater than zero produces radar reflectivities closest to those observed.
Document ID
20120010639
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Varble, Adam
(Utah Univ. Salt Lake City, UT, United States)
Fridlind, Ann M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Zipser, Edward J.
(Utah Univ. Salt Lake City, UT, United States)
Ackerman, Andrew S.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Chaboureau, Jean-Pierre
(Toulouse Univ. France)
Fan, Jiwen
(Pacific Northwest National Lab. Richland, WA, United States)
Hill, Adrian
(Met Office (Meteorological Office) Devon, United Kingdom)
McFarlane, Sally A.
(Pacific Northwest National Lab. Richland, WA, United States)
Pinty, Jean-Pierre
(Toulouse Univ. France)
Shipway, Ben
(Met Office (Meteorological Office) Devon, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
June 24, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 116
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.00353.2012
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG03-02ER63337
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-AI02-06ER64173
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG02-08ER64557
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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