Simulations of marine stratocumulus using a new microphysical parameterization scheme

A new microphysical scheme that uses lognormal basis functions to represent cloud and drizzle drop spectra is presented. The scheme is incorporated in a two-dimensional (2-D) eddy-resolving model and applied to the simulation of a stratocumulus cloud deck based on a sounding from the Atlantic Strato...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmospheric research 1998-06, Vol.47, p.505-528
Main Authors: Feingold, Graham, Walko, R.L., Stevens, Bjorn, Cotton, W.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Marine
Marine stratocumulus
Meteorology
Microphysical scheme
Simulation
Water in the atmosphere (humidity, clouds, evaporation, precipitation)
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Summary:A new microphysical scheme that uses lognormal basis functions to represent cloud and drizzle drop spectra is presented. The scheme is incorporated in a two-dimensional (2-D) eddy-resolving model and applied to the simulation of a stratocumulus cloud deck based on a sounding from the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment. Firstly, the philosophy behind the design of the scheme is discussed with emphasis on special problems that arise when simulating stratocumulus clouds. These include (but are not limited to) simulation of collection at low liquid water contents (a few tenths of g m −3), and the importance of correctly simulating drop sedimentation in weakly convective clouds. The scheme is then applied to two cases; one exhibiting weak precipitation (
ISSN:0169-8095
1873-2895
DOI:10.1016/S0169-8095(98)00058-1