GHI calculation sensitivity on microphysics, land- and cumulus parameterization in WRF over the Reunion Island

• Published in: Atmospheric research 2018-05, Vol.204, p.12-20
• Main Authors: De Meij, A., Vinuesa, J.-F., Maupas, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cumulus parameterization; GHI; Microphysics; WRF
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2018.01.008

The sensitivity of different microphysics and dynamics schemes on calculated global horizontal irradiation (GHI) values in the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model is studied. 13 sensitivity simulations were performed for which the microphysics, cumulus parameterization schemes and land surface models were changed. Firstly we evaluated the model's performance by comparing calculated GHI values for the Base Case with observations for the Reunion Island for 2014. In general, the model calculates the largest bias during the austral summer. This indicates that the model is less accurate in timing the formation and dissipation of clouds during the summer, when higher water vapor quantities are present in the atmosphere than during the austral winter. Secondly, the model sensitivity on changing the microphysics, cumulus parameterization and land surface models on calculated GHI values is evaluated. The sensitivity simulations showed that changing the microphysics from the Thompson scheme (or Single-Moment 6-class scheme) to the Morrison double-moment scheme, the relative bias improves from ~45% to ~10%. The underlying reason for this improvement is that the Morrison double-moment scheme predicts the mass and number concentrations of five hydrometeors, which help to improve the calculation of the densities, size and lifetime of the cloud droplets. While the single moment schemes only predicts the mass for less hydrometeors. Changing the cumulus parameterization schemes and land surface models does not have a large impact on GHI calculations. •Calculated GHI values agree better with the observations during the austral winter.•WRF is less accurate in timing the formation of clouds during the summer.•Using the Morrison double-moment scheme improves the relative bias from ~45% to ~10%.•Changing the cumulus parameterization does not have a large impact on GHI values.•Changing the land surface schemes does not have a large impact on GHI values.