Deep convective cloud scales and direct adjustment of upper troposphere moisture in TWP environment

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Barr-Kumarakulasinghe ◽  
K. M. M. Lwiza
Keyword(s):  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

scholarly journals The role of the retention coefficient for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases by deep convective cloud systems: model sensitivity studies

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 10773-10809
Author(s):  
M. Salzmann ◽  
M. G. Lawrence ◽  
V. T. J. Phillips ◽  
L. J. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Cloud Systems ◽  
Retention Coefficient ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Toga Coare ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Abstract. The role of the retention coefficient (i.e. the fraction of a dissolved trace gas which is retained in hydrometeors during freezing) for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases by deep convective cloud systems is investigated using a modified version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Results from cloud system resolving model runs (in which deep convection is initiated by small random perturbations in association with so-called "large scale forcings (LSF)") for a tropical oceanic (TOGA COARE) and a mid-latitude continental case (ARM) are compared to two runs in which bubbles are used to initiate deep convection (STERAO, ARM). In the LSF runs scavenging is found to almost entirely prevent a highly soluble tracer initially located in the lowest 1.5 km of the troposphere from reaching the upper troposphere, independent of the retention coefficient. The release of gases from freezing hydrometeors leads to mixing ratio increases in the upper troposphere comparable to those calculated for insoluble trace gases only in runs in which bubbles are used to initiate deep convection. This result indicates that previous cloud resolving model studies using bubbles to initiate deep convection may possibly have over-estimated the influence of the retention coefficient on the vertical transport of highly soluble tracers. The retention coefficient is, however, found to play an important role for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases with a (chemical) source in the free troposphere and also for trace gases for which even relatively inefficient transport may be important.

scholarly journals Model sensitivity studies regarding the role of the retention coefficient for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases by deep convective cloud systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 2027-2045 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salzmann ◽  
M. G. Lawrence ◽  
V. T. J. Phillips ◽  
L. J. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Cloud Systems ◽  
Retention Coefficient ◽  
Toga Coare ◽  
Model Setup ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Abstract. The role of the retention coefficient (i.e. the fraction of a dissolved trace gas which is retained in hydrometeors during freezing) for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases by deep convective cloud systems is investigated using a modified version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Results from cloud system resolving model runs (in which deep convection is initiated by small random perturbations in association with so-called "large scale forcings (LSF)") for a tropical oceanic (TOGA COARE) and a mid-latitude continental case (ARM) are compared to two runs in which bubbles are used to initiate deep convection (STERAO, ARM). In the LSF runs, scavenging is found to almost entirely prevent a highly soluble tracer initially located in the lowest 1.5 km of the troposphere from reaching the upper troposphere, independent of the retention coefficient. The release of gases from freezing hydrometeors leads to mixing ratio increases in the upper troposphere comparable to those calculated for insoluble trace gases only in the two runs in which bubbles are used to initiate deep convection. A comparison of the two ARM runs indicates that using bubbles to initiate deep convection may result in an overestimate of the influence of the retention coefficient on the vertical transport of highly soluble tracers. It is, however, found that the retention coefficient plays an important role for the scavenging and redistribution of highly soluble trace gases with a (chemical) source in the free troposphere and also for trace gases for which even relatively inefficient transport may be important. The large difference between LSF and bubble runs is attributed to differences in dynamics and microphysics in the inflow regions of the storms. The dependence of the results on the model setup indicates the need for additional model studies with a more realistic initiation of deep convection, e.g., considering effects of orography in a nested model setup.

scholarly journals Radiometric Performance Evaluation of FY-4A/AGRI Based on Aqua/MODIS

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1859
Author(s):  
Bo Zhong ◽  
Yingbo Ma ◽  
Aixia Yang ◽  
Junjun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Spectral Response ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
High Attenuation ◽  
Total Attenuation ◽  
Attenuation Rate ◽  
Calibration Facility ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud ◽  
Directional Reflectance

Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) is the first satellite of the Chinese second-generation geostationary orbit meteorological satellites (FY-4). The Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager (AGRI), onboard FY-4A does not load with high-precision calibration facility in visible and near infrared (VNIR) channel. As a consequence, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate its radiometric performance and quantitatively describe the attenuation while using its VNIR data. In this paper, the radiometric performance at VNIR channels of FY-4A/AGRI is evaluated based on Aqua/MODIS data using the deep convective cloud (DCC) target. In order to reduce the influence of view angle and spectral response difference, the bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) correction and spectral matching have been performed. The evaluation result shows the radiometric performance of FY-4A/AGRI: (1) is less stable and with obvious fluctuations; (2) has a lower radiation level because of 24.99% lower compared with Aqua/MODIS; 3) has a high attenuation with 9.11% total attenuation over 2 years and 4.0% average annual attenuation rate. After the evaluation, relative radiometric normalization between AGRI and MODIS in VNIR channel is performed and the procedure is proved effective. This paper proposed a more reliable reference for the quantitative applications of FY-4A data.

scholarly journals How do changes in warm-phase microphysics affect deep convective clouds?

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 9585-9598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Chen ◽  
Ilan Koren ◽  
Orit Altaratz ◽  
Reuven H. Heiblum ◽  
Guy Dagan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rain Rate ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Cloud Fraction ◽  
Marshall Islands ◽  
Cloud System ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Deep Convective Clouds ◽  
Aerosol Effects ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Abstract. Understanding aerosol effects on deep convective clouds and the derived effects on the radiation budget and rain patterns can largely contribute to estimations of climate uncertainties. The challenge is difficult in part because key microphysical processes in the mixed and cold phases are still not well understood. For deep convective clouds with a warm base, understanding aerosol effects on the warm processes is extremely important as they set the initial and boundary conditions for the cold processes. Therefore, the focus of this study is the warm phase, which can be better resolved. The main question is: How do aerosol-derived changes in the warm phase affect the properties of deep convective cloud systems? To explore this question, we used a weather research and forecasting (WRF) model with spectral bin microphysics to simulate a deep convective cloud system over the Marshall Islands during the Kwajalein Experiment (KWAJEX). The model results were validated against observations, showing similarities in the vertical profile of radar reflectivity and the surface rain rate. Simulations with larger aerosol loading resulted in a larger total cloud mass, a larger cloud fraction in the upper levels, and a larger frequency of strong updrafts and rain rates. Enlarged mass both below and above the zero temperature level (ZTL) contributed to the increase in cloud total mass (water and ice) in the polluted runs. Increased condensation efficiency of cloud droplets governed the gain in mass below the ZTL, while both enhanced condensational and depositional growth led to increased mass above it. The enhanced mass loading above the ZTL acted to reduce the cloud buoyancy, while the thermal buoyancy (driven by the enhanced latent heat release) increased in the polluted runs. The overall effect showed an increased upward transport (across the ZTL) of liquid water driven by both larger updrafts and larger droplet mobility. These aerosol effects were reflected in the larger ratio between the masses located above and below the ZTL in the polluted runs. When comparing the net mass flux crossing the ZTL in the clean and polluted runs, the difference was small. However, when comparing the upward and downward fluxes separately, the increase in aerosol concentration was seen to dramatically increase the fluxes in both directions, indicating the aerosol amplification effect of the convection and the affected cloud system properties, such as cloud fraction and rain rate.

scholarly journals The characterization of deep convective cloud albedo as a calibration target using MODIS reflectances

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Doelling ◽  
Gang Hong ◽  
Dan Morstad ◽  
Rajendra Bhatt ◽  
Arun Gopalan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Calibration Target ◽  
Cloud Albedo ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

Assessment of MODIS on-orbit calibration using a deep convective cloud technique

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaozhen Mu ◽  
Aisheng Wu ◽  
Tiejun Chang ◽  
Amit Angal ◽  
Daniel Link ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Deep Convective Cloud

scholarly journals What do we learn on bromoform transport and chemistry in deep convection from fine scale modelling?

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 29561-29600 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Marécal ◽  
M. Pirre ◽  
G. Krysztofiak ◽  
B. Josse
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Initial Boundary ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Soluble Species

Abstract. Bromoform is one of the main sources of halogenated Very Short-Lived Species (VSLS) that possibly contributes when degradated to the inorganic halogen loading in the stratosphere. Because of its short lifetime of about four weeks, its pathway to the stratosphere is mainly the transport by convection up to the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) and then by radiative ascent in the low stratosphere. Some of its degradation product gases (PGs) that are soluble can be scavenged and not reach the TTL. In this paper we present a detailed modelling study of the transport and the degradation of bromoform and its PGs in convection. We use a 3-D-cloud resolving model coupled with a chemistry model including gaseous and aqueous chemistry. We run idealised simulations up to 10 days, initialised using a tropical radiosounding for atmospheric conditions and using outputs from a global chemistry-transport model for chemical species. Bromoform is initialised only in the low levels. The first simulation is run with stable atmospheric conditions. It shows that the sum of the bromoform and its PGs significantly decreases with time because of dry deposition and that PGs are mainly in the form of HBr after 2 days of simulation. The other simulation is similar to the first simulation but includes perturbations of temperature and of moisture leading to the development of a convective cloud reaching the TTL. Results of this simulation show an efficient vertical transport of the bromoform from the boundary layer in the upper troposphere and TTL (mixing ratio up to 45% of the initial boundary layer mixing ratio). The organic PGs, which are for the most abundant of them not very soluble, are also uplifted efficiently. For the inorganic PGs, which are more abundant than organic PGs, their mixing ratios in the upper troposphere and in the TTL depend on the partitioning between inorganic soluble and inorganic non soluble species in the convective cloud. Important soluble species such as HBr and HOBr are efficiently scavenged by rain. This removal is reduced by the production of Br2 (not soluble) in the gas phase from aqueous processes in the cloud droplets. This Br2 production process is therefore important for the PG budget in the upper troposphere and in the TTL. We also showed that this process is favoured by acidic conditions in the coud droplets, i.e. polluted conditions.

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