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Toward a Dynamical Foundation for Organized Convection Parameterization in GCMs
Author(s) -
Moncrieff Mitchell W.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2019gl085316
Subject(s) - convection , mesoscale meteorology , climatology , madden–julian oscillation , precipitation , gcm transcription factors , momentum (technical analysis) , environmental science , mixing (physics) , climate model , general circulation model , oscillation (cell signaling) , atmospheric sciences , satellite , meteorology , geology , physics , climate change , oceanography , finance , quantum mechanics , astronomy , economics , biology , genetics
A dynamically based parameterization of organized moist convection in the form of multiscale coherent structures and slantwise layer overturning principles provides upscale heat and counter‐gradient momentum transports distinct from diffusive down‐gradient mixing by unorganized cumulus. Implementation of a minimalist version of this new parameterization in a state‐of‐the‐art global climate model (GCM) improves the Madden‐Julian Oscillation and convectively coupled waves and generates large‐scale patterns of tropical precipitation consistent with Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite measurements. A question on the need to parameterize mesoscale convective organization to mitigate mean state biases is addressed.