A Parameterization of Convective Dust Storms for Models with Mass-Flux Convection Schemes

• Published in: Journal of the atmospheric sciences 2015-06, Vol.72 (6), p.2545-2561
• Main Authors: Pantillon, Florian, Knippertz, Peter, Marsham, John H, Birch, Cathryn E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric particulates; Bias; Cold; Convection; Convection modes; Downdraft; Dust; Dust storms; Emissions; Large-scale models; Mass flux; Meteorology; Modelling; Moist convection; Outflow; Parameter sensitivity; Parameterization; Parametrization; Pollution sources; Pools; Precipitation; Radiation; Scale models; Storms; Strong winds; Uplift; Winds
• ISSN: 0022-4928; 1520-0469
• DOI: 10.1175/JAS-D-14-0341.1

Cold pool outflows, generated by downdrafts from moist convection, can generate strong winds and therefore uplift of mineral dust. These so-called haboob convective dust storms occur over all major dust source areas worldwide and contribute substantially to emissions in northern Africa, the world's largest source. Most large-scale models lack convective dust storms because they do not resolve moist convection, relying instead on convection schemes. The authors suggest a parameterization of convective dust storms to account for their contribution in such large-scale models. The parameterization is based on a simple conceptual model, in which the downdraft mass flux from the convection scheme spreads out radially in a cylindrical cold pool. The parameterization is tested with a set of Met Office Unified Model runs for June and July 2006 over West Africa. It is calibrated with a convection-permitting run and applied to a convection-parameterized run. The parameterization successfully produces the extensive area of dust-generating winds from cold pool outflows over the southern Sahara. However, this area extends farther to the east and dust-generating winds occur earlier in the day than in the convection-permitting run. These biases are caused by biases in the convection scheme. It is found that the location and timing of dust-generating winds are weakly sensitive to the parameters of the conceptual model. The results demonstrate that a simple parameterization has the potential to correct a major and long-standing limitation in global dust models.