Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

A Bulk Parameterization of the Ice Particle Size Distribution and the Optical Properties in Ice Clouds

Brian F. Ryan CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Aspendale, Victoria, Australia

Search for other papers by Brian F. Ryan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 May 2000
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2000)057<1436:ABPOTI>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1436–1451
Restricted access

Abstract

A new parameterization has been developed that assumes that nonprecipitating particles obey the Heymsfield–Platt power-law (H–P particles) and that the precipitating particles obey the Marshall–Palmer distribution (M–P particles). The parameterization defines a critical ice content for the onset of precipitation particles and allows the number of ice crystals, the extinction coefficient, and the effective diameter of the crystals for the cloud layer in the model to be diagnosed. The implementation of the new parameterization in a model unifies the microphysical assumptions used to calculate the optical properties and precipitation.

If it is assumed that the number of H–P particles at cloud top is much larger than the number of M–P particles in southeastern Australia frontal systems, then the observed number of ice crystals at cloud top agrees well with the diagnosed number of H–P particles at cloud top.

A simulation of the passage of a cold front is used to test the parameterization. The modeled H–P and M–P particle concentrations are compared with microphysical observations of ice crystal concentrations and the modeled optical depths are compared with International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project satellite data. The modeled cloud ice contents and the particle numbers (H–P particles + M–P particles) in the middle-level frontal cloud are consistent with the ice crystal numbers that are observed in these types of clouds. The model simulations show that when the front is in the mature stage of development, the model-derived optical depths are in reasonable agreement with those derived from satellites.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Brian F. Ryan, CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Aspendale, Victoria 3195, Australia.

Email: brian.ryan@dar.csiro.au

Abstract

A new parameterization has been developed that assumes that nonprecipitating particles obey the Heymsfield–Platt power-law (H–P particles) and that the precipitating particles obey the Marshall–Palmer distribution (M–P particles). The parameterization defines a critical ice content for the onset of precipitation particles and allows the number of ice crystals, the extinction coefficient, and the effective diameter of the crystals for the cloud layer in the model to be diagnosed. The implementation of the new parameterization in a model unifies the microphysical assumptions used to calculate the optical properties and precipitation.

If it is assumed that the number of H–P particles at cloud top is much larger than the number of M–P particles in southeastern Australia frontal systems, then the observed number of ice crystals at cloud top agrees well with the diagnosed number of H–P particles at cloud top.

A simulation of the passage of a cold front is used to test the parameterization. The modeled H–P and M–P particle concentrations are compared with microphysical observations of ice crystal concentrations and the modeled optical depths are compared with International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project satellite data. The modeled cloud ice contents and the particle numbers (H–P particles + M–P particles) in the middle-level frontal cloud are consistent with the ice crystal numbers that are observed in these types of clouds. The model simulations show that when the front is in the mature stage of development, the model-derived optical depths are in reasonable agreement with those derived from satellites.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Brian F. Ryan, CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Aspendale, Victoria 3195, Australia.

Email: brian.ryan@dar.csiro.au

Save
Cover Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences

  • Abramowitz, M., and I. A. Stegan, 1972: Handbook of Mathematical Functions. Dover Publications, 1046 pp.

  • Arnott, W. P., Y. Dong, and J. Hallett, 1994: Role of small ice crystals in radiative properties of cirrus. J. Geophys. Res.,99, 1371–1381.

  • Bennetts, D., and P. Ryder, 1984: A study of mesoscale convective bands behind a cold front. Part II: Cloud and microphysical structure. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,110, 467–487.

  • Browning, K. A., and Coauthors, 1993: The GEWEX Cloud System Study (GCSS). Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,74, 387–399.

  • Cotton, W. R., and R. A. Anthes, 1989: Storm and Cloud Dynamics. International Geophysical Series, Vol. 44, Academic Press, 883 pp.

  • Francis, P. N., A. Jones, R. W. Saunders, K. P. Shine, A. Slingo, and Z. Sun, 1994: An observational and theoretical study of the radiative properties of cirrus: Some results from ICE 89. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,120, 809–848.

  • Gordon, G. L., and J. D. Marwitz, 1986: Hydrometeor evolution in rainbands over the California valley. J. Atmos. Sci.,43, 1087–1100.

  • Harrington, J. Y., M. P. Meyers, R. L. Walko, and W. R. Cotton, 1995:Parameterization of ice crystal conversion processes due to vapor deposition for mesoscale models using double-moment basis functions. Part I: Basic formulation and parcel model results. J. Atmos. Sci.,52, 4344–4366.

  • Heymsfield, A. J., 1972: Ice crystal terminal velocities. J. Atmos. Sci.,29, 1348–1357.

  • ——, 1977: Precipitation development in stratiform ice clouds: A microphysical and dynamical study. J. Atmos. Sci.,34, 367–381.

  • ——, and C. M. R. Platt, 1984: A parameterization of the particle size spectrum of ice clouds in terms of ambient temperature and ice water content. J. Atmos. Sci.,41, 846–855.

  • ——, and L. M. Miloshevich, 1995: Relative humidity and temperature influences on cirrus formation and evolution: Observations from wave clouds and FIRE II. J. Atmos. Sci.,52, 4302–4326.

  • ——, and G. M. McFarquhar, 1996: High albedos of cirrus in the tropical Pacific warm pool: Microphysical interpretations from CEPEX and from Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. J. Atmos. Sci.,53, 2424–2451.

  • Houze, R. A., P. V. Hobbs, and P. H. Herzegh, 1979: Size distribution of precipitation particles in frontal clouds. J. Atmos. Sci.,36, 156–162.

  • Katzfey, J. J., and B. F. Ryan, 1997: Modification of thermodynamic structure of the lower troposphere by the evaporation of precipitation: A GEWEX cloud study. Mon. Wea. Rev.,125, 1431–1466.

  • King, W. D., 1982: Location and extent of supercooled regions in deep stratiform cloud in western Victoria. Aust. Meteor. Mag.,30, 81–88.

  • Kinne, S., T. P. Ackerman, A. J. Heymsfield, F. P. J. Valero, K. Sassen, and J. D. Spinhirne, 1992: Cirrus microphysics and radiative transfer: Cloud field study on 28 October 1986. Mon. Wea. Rev.,120, 661–684.

  • Leaitch, W. R., D. W. Johnson, and A. V. Korolev, 1992: Panel report on data summaries. Proc. WMO Workshop on Cloud Microphysics and Applications to Global Change, WMP Rep. 19, Toronto, ON, Canada, WMO, 301–389.

  • Lin, Y.-L., R. D. Farley, and H. D. Orville, 1983: Bulk parameterization of the snow field in a cloud model. J. Climate Appl. Meteor.,22, 1065–1092.

  • Marecal, V., D. Hauser, and C. Duroure, 1993: Airborne microphysical measurements and radar reflectivity observations near a cold frontal rainband observed during the FRONTS 87 experiment. Atmos. Res.,29, 170–207.

  • Mason, B. J., 1962: Clouds, Rain and Rainmaking. Cambridge University Press, 145 pp.

  • McFarquhar, G. M., and A. J. Heymsfield, 1998: The definition and significance of an effective radius for ice clouds. J. Atmos. Sci.,55, 2039–2052.

  • Mitchell, D. C., 1994: A model predicting the evolution of ice particle size spectra and radiative properties of clouds. Part I: Microphysics. J. Atmos. Sci.,51, 797–816.

  • ——, S. K. Chai, Y. Liu, A. J. Heymsfield, and Y. Dong, 1996: Modeling circus clouds. Part I: Treatment of bimodal size spectra and case study analysis. J. Atmos. Sci.,53, 2952–2966.

  • Mossop, S. C., 1968: Comparison between concentrations of ice crystals in cloud and concentrations of ice nuclei. J. Rech. Atmos.,3, 119–124.

  • Passarelli, R. E., 1978: Theoretical and observational study of snow-sized spectra and snow flake aggregation. J. Atmos. Sci.,35, 882–889.

  • Platt, C. M. R., 1997: A parameterization of the visible extinction coefficient in terms of the ice/water content. J. Atmos. Sci.,54, 2083–2098.

  • Rauber, R. M., and A. Tokay, 1991: An explanation for the existance of supercooled water at the top of cold clouds. J. Atmos. Sci.,48, 1005–1023.

  • Reisin, T., Z. Levin, and S. Tzivion, 1996: Rain production in convective clouds as simulated in an axisymmetric model with detailed microphysics. Part I: Description of the model. J. Atmos. Sci.,53, 497–519.

  • Rotstayn, L. D., 1997: A physically based scheme for the treatment of stratiform clouds and precipitation in large-scale models. I: Description and evaluation of the microphysical processes. Quart. J Roy. Meteor. Soc.,123, 1227–1282.

  • ——, 1999: Climate sensitivity of the CSIRO GCM: Effect of cloud modeling assumptions. J. Climate,12, 334–356.

  • ——, B. F. Ryan, and J. J. Katzfey, 2000: A scheme for calculation of the liquid fraction in mixed-phase stratiform clouds in large-scale models. Mon. Wea. Rev.,128, 1070–1088.

  • Rutledge, S. A., and P. V. Hobbs, 1983: The mesoscale and microscale structure and organization of clouds and precipitation in midlatitude cyclones. Part VIII: A model for the “seeder-feeder” process in warm-frontal rainbands. J. Atmos. Sci.,40, 1185–1206.

  • Ryan, B. F., 1996: On the global variation of precipitating layer clouds. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,77, 53–70.

  • ——, W. D. King, and S. C. Mossop, 1985: The frontal transition zone and microphysical properties of associated clouds. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,111, 479–493.

  • Stewart, R. E., J. D. Marwitz, J. C. Pace, and R. E. Carbone, 1984:Characteristics through the melting layer of stratiform clouds. J. Atmos. Sci.,41, 3227–3237.

  • Walko, R. L., W. R. Cotton, J. L. Harrington, and M. P. Meyers, 1995:New RAMS cloud microphysical parameterizations. Part I: The single moment scheme. Atmos. Res.,38, 29–62.

  • You, L., and Y. Liu, 1989: The synoptic structures and microphysical processes of precipitation systems in winter in Wulumuqi area, Xingjang. Proc. Fifth WMO Science Conf. on Weather Modification and Applied Cloud Physics, WMP Rep. 12, Beijing, China, WMO, 65–68.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 462 155 12
PDF Downloads 191 75 1