Modeling the Trade-Wind Cumulus Boundary Layer. Part II: A High-Order One-Dimensional Model

Ph Bougeault Direction de la Météorologie, EERM/GMD, 92100 Boulogne, France

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Abstract

A numerical simulation of the trade-wind cumulus layer observed in the region of Puerto Rico is presented. The model is one-dimensional with a higher-order turbulence closure scheme (quasi-Gaussian assumption in the third-order moments equations). Conservative variables are used, and the clouds are parameterized according to the propositions of Part I of this paper, using a skewed exponential scheme. Once a quasi-steady stage has been reached in the simulation, the results of the model are compared with satisfactory agreement to statistics on the data of a detailed three-dimensional cloud model. The one-dimensional model proves to be able to compute with reasonable accuracy the profiles of all turbulent quantities up to third-order moments. It therefore is suggested that this kind of model can provide valuable results in cloudy planetary boundary layer studies.

Abstract

A numerical simulation of the trade-wind cumulus layer observed in the region of Puerto Rico is presented. The model is one-dimensional with a higher-order turbulence closure scheme (quasi-Gaussian assumption in the third-order moments equations). Conservative variables are used, and the clouds are parameterized according to the propositions of Part I of this paper, using a skewed exponential scheme. Once a quasi-steady stage has been reached in the simulation, the results of the model are compared with satisfactory agreement to statistics on the data of a detailed three-dimensional cloud model. The one-dimensional model proves to be able to compute with reasonable accuracy the profiles of all turbulent quantities up to third-order moments. It therefore is suggested that this kind of model can provide valuable results in cloudy planetary boundary layer studies.

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