Long-Term Behavior of Cloud Systems in TOGA COARE and Their Interactions with Radiative and Surface Processes. Part II: Effects of Ice Microphysics on Cloud–Radiation Interaction

Xiaoqing Wu National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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William D. Hall National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Wojciech W. Grabowski National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Mitchell W. Moncrieff National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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William D. Collins National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Jeffrey T. Kiehl National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Abstract

A two-dimensional cloud-resolving model with a large domain is integrated for 39 days during the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) to study the effects of ice phase processes on cloud properties and cloud radiative properties. The ice microphysical parameterization scheme is modified based on microphysical measurements from the Central Equatorial Pacific Experiment. A nonlocal boundary layer diffusion scheme is included to improve the simulation of the surface heat fluxes. The modified ice scheme produces fewer ice clouds during the 39-day simulation. The cloud radiative properties show significant improvement and compare well with various observations. Both the 39-day mean value (202 W m−2) and month-long evolution of outgoing longwave radiative flux from the model are comparable with satellite observations. The 39-day mean surface shortwave cloud forcing is −110 W m−2, consistent with other estimates obtained for TOGA COARE. The 39-day mean values of surface net longwave, shortwave, latent, and sensible fluxes are −46.2, 182.9, −109.9, and −7.8 W m −2, respectively, in line with the IMET buoy data (−54.6, 178.2, −102.7, and −10.6 W m−2).

The offline radiation calculations as well as the cloud-interactive radiation simulations demonstrate that a doubled effective radius of ice particles and enhanced shortwave cloud absorption strongly affect the radiative flux and cloud radiative forcing but have little impact on the cloud properties. The modeled albedo is sensitive to the effective radius of ice particles and/or the shortwave cloud absorption in the radiation scheme. More complete satellite observations and theoretical studies are required to fully understand the physical processes involved.

The results suggest that the ice microphysical parameterization plays an important role in the long-term simulation of cloud properties and cloud radiative properties. Future field observations should put more weight on the microphysical properties, cloud properties, and high-quality radiative properties in order to further improve the cloud-resolving modeling of cloud systems and the understanding of cloud–radiation interaction.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Xiaoqing Wu, NCAR, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307.

Abstract

A two-dimensional cloud-resolving model with a large domain is integrated for 39 days during the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) to study the effects of ice phase processes on cloud properties and cloud radiative properties. The ice microphysical parameterization scheme is modified based on microphysical measurements from the Central Equatorial Pacific Experiment. A nonlocal boundary layer diffusion scheme is included to improve the simulation of the surface heat fluxes. The modified ice scheme produces fewer ice clouds during the 39-day simulation. The cloud radiative properties show significant improvement and compare well with various observations. Both the 39-day mean value (202 W m−2) and month-long evolution of outgoing longwave radiative flux from the model are comparable with satellite observations. The 39-day mean surface shortwave cloud forcing is −110 W m−2, consistent with other estimates obtained for TOGA COARE. The 39-day mean values of surface net longwave, shortwave, latent, and sensible fluxes are −46.2, 182.9, −109.9, and −7.8 W m −2, respectively, in line with the IMET buoy data (−54.6, 178.2, −102.7, and −10.6 W m−2).

The offline radiation calculations as well as the cloud-interactive radiation simulations demonstrate that a doubled effective radius of ice particles and enhanced shortwave cloud absorption strongly affect the radiative flux and cloud radiative forcing but have little impact on the cloud properties. The modeled albedo is sensitive to the effective radius of ice particles and/or the shortwave cloud absorption in the radiation scheme. More complete satellite observations and theoretical studies are required to fully understand the physical processes involved.

The results suggest that the ice microphysical parameterization plays an important role in the long-term simulation of cloud properties and cloud radiative properties. Future field observations should put more weight on the microphysical properties, cloud properties, and high-quality radiative properties in order to further improve the cloud-resolving modeling of cloud systems and the understanding of cloud–radiation interaction.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Xiaoqing Wu, NCAR, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307.

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