Task 227

Microphysical Processes of Atmospheric Convective Systems

Principal Investigator(s):

C.-J. Shiu

Sponsor(s):

W-K. Tao

Last Updated:

October 26, 2012 15:25:54

Description of Problem

We validate the hydrometeors simulated by Goddard Multi-scale Modeling Framework (MMF) through comprehensive comparisons with satellite and reanalysis data sets. Major parameters include total precipitable water, cloud liquid water, and cloud ice water as well as precipitation.

Scientific Objectives and Approach

Simulations for 2005 and 2006 summer seasons (JJAS) are carried out via using the coupled fvGCM-GCE Multi-scale Modeling Framework (MMF) that replaces the sub-grid cloud parameterization with an explicit cloud-resolving models. General verifications of MMF results are investigated through comprehensive comparisons with reanalysis dataset e.g. NASA MERRA and other satellite datasets such as AIRS, GPCP, TRMM, MODIS, AMSR-E and so on. Different dynamical and microphysical parameters are examined to study their differences between 2005 and 2006 and the proficiency and deficiency of the MMF for further model improvements.

Accomplishments

Preliminary results show that most of the parameters are well simulated by MMF especially in terms of their spatial distributions. Total column cloud liquid water, cloud ice water and precipitation rate and spectrum simulated by MMF are even better than those of MERRA when compared to satellite retrievals. Figs 1 and 2 show the results for precipitation intensity spectrum and total column cloud ice, respectively.

Other Publications and Conferences

Conference Presentation:
Shiu, C.-J., Jiun-Dar Chern, Wei-Kuo Tao, and Shaw Chen Liu (2011), Comparisons of Goddard MMF Simulations with Reanalysis and Satellite Datasets, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2011, Taipei, Taiwan.

Paper in preparation:
Shiu, C.-J., Jiun-Dar Chern, Wei-Kuo Tao, Shaw Chen Liu (2012), Hydrometeors Simulated by a Superparameterization Model and Their Validations with Satellite and Reanalysis Data Sets (to be submitted to GRL)

Task Figures

Fig. 1 – Compared to MERRA, precipitation intensity spectrum of MMF is closer to that of CMORPH. For MERRA, the contributions from heavy precipitation say intensity greater than 100 mm/day are smaller than those of other data sets. TRMM and CFSR results are more or less similar with CMOPRH. Among MMF and the two reanalyses, CFSR gives best results regarding land and ocean contrast when compared to observed results from CMOPRH.

Fig. 2 – Over the tropical and subtropical regions, total column cloud ice water simulated by MMF is quite similar to that of MODIS. MERRA appears to have very low total column cloud ice water and also quite different in its spatial distributions compared to that of MMF and that of MODIS.