Comparison of Modeled Cloud Profiles from the ARM/GCSS SCM Intercomparison - Case 3
Iacobellis, S.F. (a), Somerville, R.C.J. (a), and Klein, S.A. (b), Scripps Institution of Oceanography/UCSD (a), GFDL/NOAA, Princeton University (b)
Eleventh Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Science Team Meeting
In this study we examine the cloud profiles produced by a variety of Single-Column Models (SCMs) and Cumulus Resolving Models (CRMs) using the Cloud Parameterization and Modeling Working Group (CPM WG) Case 3 data set (Summer 1997 IOP). A total of 8 SCMs and 7 CRMs are analyzed. The mean vertical profile of cloud amount as well as the time evolution of cloudiness from each model are produced for several time periods. The model results are compared against each other as well as against observational estimates of cloud amount as a function of time and height derived from Millimeter-Wavelength Cloud Radar (MMCR) and Mircopulse Lidar (MPL) measurements. Preliminary results indicate that the SCMs can separated into two classes; those that produce very little if any low clouds and those that produce more realistic low cloud amounts compared to the observational estimates. The individual SCMs will be examined to determine if there is a particular parameterization and/or operating procedure that is responsible for this behavior. The role of relaxation will also be examined. Early results suggest that some models had improved cloud simulation when relaxation was used, while other models showed a degraded simulation. Compared to the SCMs, the CRMs produce cloud amounts that compare more favorably with the observational estimates.
Note: This is the poster abstract presented at the meeting; an extended version was not provided by the author(s).
