Improving Mesoscale Prediction of Shallow Convection and Cloud Regime Transitions in NRL COAMPS

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Mechem
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Cloud Regime ◽  
Regime Transitions

Improved Representation of Boundary Layer Clouds over the Southeast Pacific in ARW-WRF Using a Modified Tiedtke Cumulus Parameterization Scheme*

2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (11) ◽  
pp. 3489-3513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunxi Zhang ◽  
Yuqing Wang ◽  
Kevin Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cumulus Parameterization ◽  
Regime Transition ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Low Clouds ◽  
Cloud Regime ◽  
Southeast Pacific

Abstract A modified Tiedtke cumulus parameterization (CP) scheme has been implemented into the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model (ARW-WRF) to improve the representation of marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds over the southeast Pacific (SEP). A full month simulation for October 2006 was performed by using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) final analysis (FNL) as both the initial and lateral boundary conditions and the observed sea surface temperature (SST). The model simulation was compared with satellite observations and with results from an intense ship-based campaign of balloon soundings during 16–20 October 2006 at 20°S, 85°W. The model with the modified Tiedtke scheme successfully captured the main features of the MBL structure and low clouds over the SEP, including the geographical distribution of MBL clouds, the cloud regime transition, and the vertical structure of the MBL. The model simulation was repeated with the various CP schemes currently provided as standard options in ARW-WRF. The simulations with other CP schemes failed to reproduce the geographical distribution of cloud fraction and the observed cloud regime transition, and displayed an MBL too shallow compared to observations. The improved simulation with the modified Tiedtke scheme can be attributed to a more active parameterized shallow convection with the modified Tiedtke scheme than with the other CP schemes tested, which played a critical role in lifting the inversion base and the low cloud layer. Results from additional sensitivity experiments employing different planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes demonstrated that the basic feature of the MBL structure and low clouds over the SEP were not particularly sensitive to the choice of the PBL scheme.

Justice, Acknowledgment, and Collective Memory

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Valls
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Collective Memory ◽  
The United States ◽  
Truth Commissions ◽  
Place Names ◽  
The Past ◽  
Regime Transitions

In regime transitions, a number of mechanisms are utilized to memorialize the past and to reject the ideas associated with human rights abused of the prior regime. This is often done through truth commissions, apologies, memorials, museums, changes in place names, national holidays, and other symbolic measures. In the United States, some efforts along these lines have been undertaken, but on the whole they have been very limited and inadequate. In addition, many symbols and memorials associated with the past, such as Confederate monuments and the Confederate Battle Flag, continue to be displayed. Hence while some progress has been made on these issues, much more needs to be done.

scholarly journals The ICON Single-Column Mode

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 906
Author(s):  
Ivan Bašták Ďurán ◽  
Martin Köhler ◽  
Astrid Eichhorn-Müller ◽  
Vera Maurer ◽  
Juerg Schmidli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Storage ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Single Column ◽  
Stratocumulus Clouds

The single-column mode (SCM) of the ICON (ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic) modeling framework is presented. The primary purpose of the ICON SCM is to use it as a tool for research, model evaluation and development. Thanks to the simplified geometry of the ICON SCM, various aspects of the ICON model, in particular the model physics, can be studied in a well-controlled environment. Additionally, the ICON SCM has a reduced computational cost and a low data storage demand. The ICON SCM can be utilized for idealized cases—several well-established cases are already included—or for semi-realistic cases based on analyses or model forecasts. As the case setup is defined by a single NetCDF file, new cases can be prepared easily by the modification of this file. We demonstrate the usage of the ICON SCM for different idealized cases such as shallow convection, stratocumulus clouds, and radiative transfer. Additionally, the ICON SCM is tested for a semi-realistic case together with an equivalent three-dimensional setup and the large eddy simulation mode of ICON. Such consistent comparisons across the hierarchy of ICON configurations are very helpful for model development. The ICON SCM will be implemented into the operational ICON model and will serve as an additional tool for advancing the development of the ICON model.

scholarly journals Cumulus over the Tibetan Plateau in the Summer Based on CloudSat–CALIPSO Data

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1219-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunying Li ◽  
Minghua Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Northern Summer ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Fine Resolution

Abstract Cumulus (Cu) can transport heat and water vapor from the boundary layer to the free atmosphere, leading to the redistribution of heat and moist energy in the lower atmosphere. This paper uses the fine-resolution CloudSat–CALIPSO product to characterize Cu over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). It is found that Cu is one of the dominant cloud types over the TP in the northern summer. The Cu event frequency, defined as Cu occurring within 50-km segments, is 54% over the TP in the summer, which is much larger over the TP than in its surrounding regions. The surface wind vector converging at the central TP and the topographic forcing provide the necessary moisture and dynamical lifting of convection over the TP. The structure of the atmospheric moist static energy shows that the thermodynamical environment over the northern TP can be characterized as having weak instability, a shallow layer of instability, and lower altitudes for the level of free convection. The diurnal variation of Cu with frequency peaks during the daytime confirms the surface thermodynamic control on Cu formation over the TP. This study offers insights into how surface heat is transported to the free troposphere over the TP and provides an observational test of climate models in simulating shallow convection over the TP.

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