Open AccessApplication of cloud microphysics to NCAR community climate model
Author(s) -
Ghan Steven J.,
Leung L. Ruby,
Hu Qi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/97jd00703
Subject(s) - environmental science , snow , liquid water content , atmospheric sciences , ice nucleus , cloud forcing , ice cloud , cloud physics , cloud condensation nuclei , sublimation (psychology) , climate model , water vapor , climatology , meteorology , cloud computing , climate change , geology , nucleation , physics , aerosol , computer science , psychology , oceanography , psychotherapist , thermodynamics , operating system
The Colorado State University Regional Atmospheric Modeling System bulk cloud microphysics parameterization has been applied to the treatment of stratiform clouds in the National Center for Atmospheric Research community climate model. Predicted cloud properties are mass concentrations of cloud water, cloud ice, rain, and snow and number concentration of ice. Microphysical processes treated include condensation of water vapor and evaporation of cloud water and rain, nucleation of ice crystals, vapor deposition and sublimation of cloud ice and snow, autoconversion and accretion of cloud water, aggregation and collection of cloud ice, melting of ice and snow, riming on ice and snow, and gravitational settling of ice, rain, and snow. Although the parameterization is more detailed and hence more computationally demanding than other cloud microphysics parameterizations in climate models, it treats the Bergeron‐Findeisen process explicitly and hence does not require an ad hoc parameterization to distinguish liquid water and ice. A variety of simulations were performed, testing sensitivity to horizontal and vertical resolution, the treatment of ice number, droplet number, and parameterization of cumulus convection. The simulated planetary radiation balance is found to be particularly sensitive to the treatment of ice number and cumulus convection.