Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Evaluation of Cloud Microphysics in JMA-NHM Simulations Using Bin or Bulk Microphysical Schemes through Comparison with Cloud Radar Observations

Takamichi Iguchi * Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Laboratory for Atmospheres, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

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Teruyuki Nakajima Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan

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Alexander P. Khain Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Institute of the Earth Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

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Kazuo Saito Meteorological Research Institute, Tsukuba, Japan

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Toshihiko Takemura ** Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

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Hajime Okamoto ** Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

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Tomoaki Nishizawa National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan

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Wei-Kuo Tao Laboratory for Atmospheres, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

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Print Publication:
01 Aug 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-11-0213.1
Page(s):
2566–2586
Restricted access

Abstract

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) simulations using the Japan Meteorological Agency Nonhydrostatic Model (JMA-NHM) are conducted for three precipitation events observed by shipborne or spaceborne W-band cloud radars. Spectral bin and single-moment bulk cloud microphysics schemes are employed separately for an intercomparative study. A radar product simulator that is compatible with both microphysics schemes is developed to enable a direct comparison between simulation and observation with respect to the equivalent radar reflectivity factor Ze, Doppler velocity (DV), and path-integrated attenuation (PIA). In general, the bin model simulation shows better agreement with the observed data than the bulk model simulation. The correction of the terminal fall velocities of snowflakes using those of hail further improves the result of the bin model simulation. The results indicate that there are substantial uncertainties in the mass–size and size–terminal fall velocity relations of snowflakes or in the calculation of terminal fall velocity of snow aloft. For the bulk microphysics, the overestimation of Ze is observed as a result of a significant predominance of snow over cloud ice due to substantial deposition growth directly to snow. The DV comparison shows that a correction for the fall velocity of hydrometeors considering a change of particle size should be introduced even in single-moment bulk cloud microphysics.

Corresponding author address: Takamichi Iguchi, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771. E-mail: takamichi.iguchi@nasa.gov

Abstract

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) simulations using the Japan Meteorological Agency Nonhydrostatic Model (JMA-NHM) are conducted for three precipitation events observed by shipborne or spaceborne W-band cloud radars. Spectral bin and single-moment bulk cloud microphysics schemes are employed separately for an intercomparative study. A radar product simulator that is compatible with both microphysics schemes is developed to enable a direct comparison between simulation and observation with respect to the equivalent radar reflectivity factor Ze, Doppler velocity (DV), and path-integrated attenuation (PIA). In general, the bin model simulation shows better agreement with the observed data than the bulk model simulation. The correction of the terminal fall velocities of snowflakes using those of hail further improves the result of the bin model simulation. The results indicate that there are substantial uncertainties in the mass–size and size–terminal fall velocity relations of snowflakes or in the calculation of terminal fall velocity of snow aloft. For the bulk microphysics, the overestimation of Ze is observed as a result of a significant predominance of snow over cloud ice due to substantial deposition growth directly to snow. The DV comparison shows that a correction for the fall velocity of hydrometeors considering a change of particle size should be introduced even in single-moment bulk cloud microphysics.

Corresponding author address: Takamichi Iguchi, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771. E-mail: takamichi.iguchi@nasa.gov
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