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A simple radiative‐convective model with a hydrological cycle and interactive clouds
Author(s) -
Kelly Michael A.,
Randall David A.,
Stephens Graeme L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49712555505
Subject(s) - parametrization (atmospheric modeling) , radiative transfer , radiative flux , convection , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere (unit) , free convective layer , environmental science , albedo (alchemy) , lapse rate , troposphere , cloud feedback , radiative cooling , climate model , meteorology , geology , physics , climate change , climate sensitivity , art , oceanography , quantum mechanics , performance art , art history
We have developed a simple, analytically tractable radiative‐convective model of the tropical climate system that includes an explicit moisture budget, a simple convection parametrization, a simple but physically based radiation parametrization, and interactive clouds. the underlying surface is assumed to be ocean. the model includes prognostic equations for the sea surface temperature and the vertically integrated water vapour content. A stratosphere in radiative equilibrium limits the depth of the convective layer. the lower‐tropospheric lapse rate, surface evaporation rate, and clear‐sky long‐wave and short‐wave radiative fluxes at the surface and the top of the atmosphere are determined as functions of the sea surface temperature and precipitable water only. the radiative‐convective equilibria of the model atmosphere resemble the observed tropical climate, if realistic sea surface temperatures are prescribed. However, cloud‐free radiative‐convective equilibria of the tropical atmosphere‐ocean system do not occur for realistic values of the surface albedo. When cloud radiative effects are included, the model produces radiative‐convective equilibria that are unrealistically warm. With prescribed realistic lateral energy and moisture transports, however, the equilibria of the model are realistic.