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Integrated cloud macro- and micro-physics schemes with kinetic treatment of condensation processes for global models
Journal
Atmospheric Research
Journal Volume
261
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Pi C.-J
Abstract
A new parameterization scheme was developed to remove the saturation adjustment assumption and resolve the condensation process in the grid-scale cloud macrophysics scheme to build an integrated cloud microphysics scheme for global climate models. By applying a saturation prediction equation with calculations based on cloud hydrometeor properties, supersaturation or subsaturation can be determined within the macrophysics scheme. This treatment provides the basis for condensation calculation and allows the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen process to be resolved explicitly to render a realistic liquid–ice partition in mixed-phase clouds. The cloud fraction scheme was modified based on physics principles to complement the condensation scheme. The new scheme's performance was examined by incorporating it into the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) single-column model to simulate a Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP–ICE) case. The results revealed that grid-scale cloud properties are sensitive to the condensation process's treatment, and the new scheme can produce a more reasonable cloud fraction and liquid–ice partition than the original CAM5. The theory-based scheme developed in this study may provide insight for addressing consistency between the macrophysical and microphysical schemes in global climate models. ? 2021 Elsevier B.V.
Subjects
Cloud macrophysics
Cloud microphysics
Liquid-ice partition
Mixed-phase supersaturation
Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen process
Climate models
Condensation
Ice
Supersaturation
Cloud fraction
Cloud macrophysic
Community atmosphere model
Condensation process
Global climates
Grid scale
Wegener–bergeron–findeisen process
Liquids
atmospheric convection
climate modeling
cloud cover
cloud microphysics
CMIP
numerical model
supersaturation
SDGs
Type
journal article