Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Advanced Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics for Global Models. Part II: Global Model Solutions and Aerosol–Cloud Interactions

A. Gettelman National Center for Atmospheric Research,+ Boulder, Colorado

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H. Morrison National Center for Atmospheric Research,+ Boulder, Colorado

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S. Santos National Center for Atmospheric Research,+ Boulder, Colorado

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P. Bogenschutz National Center for Atmospheric Research,+ Boulder, Colorado

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P. M. Caldwell Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California

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Print Publication:
01 Feb 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00103.1
Page(s):
1288–1307
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Abstract

A modified microphysics scheme is implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5). The new scheme features prognostic precipitation. The coupling between the microphysics and the rest of the model is modified to make it more flexible. Single-column tests show the new microphysics can simulate a constrained drizzling stratocumulus case. Substepping the cloud condensation (macrophysics) within a time step improves single-column results. Simulations of mixed-phase cases are strongly sensitive to ice nucleation. The new microphysics alters process rates in both single-column and global simulations, even at low (200 km) horizontal resolution. Thus, prognostic precipitation can be important, even in low-resolution simulations where advection of precipitation is not important. Accretion dominates as liquid water path increases in agreement with cloud-resolving model simulations and estimates from observations. The new microphysics with prognostic precipitation increases the ratio of accretion over autoconversion. The change in process rates appears to significantly reduce aerosol–cloud interactions and indirect radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols by up to 33% (depending on substepping) to below 1 W m−2 of cooling between simulations with preindustrial (1850) and present-day (2000) aerosol emissions.

Denotes Open Access content.

Supplemental information related to this paper is available at the Journals Online website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00103.s1.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Corresponding author address: A. Gettelman, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305. E-mail: andrew@ucar.edu

Abstract

A modified microphysics scheme is implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5). The new scheme features prognostic precipitation. The coupling between the microphysics and the rest of the model is modified to make it more flexible. Single-column tests show the new microphysics can simulate a constrained drizzling stratocumulus case. Substepping the cloud condensation (macrophysics) within a time step improves single-column results. Simulations of mixed-phase cases are strongly sensitive to ice nucleation. The new microphysics alters process rates in both single-column and global simulations, even at low (200 km) horizontal resolution. Thus, prognostic precipitation can be important, even in low-resolution simulations where advection of precipitation is not important. Accretion dominates as liquid water path increases in agreement with cloud-resolving model simulations and estimates from observations. The new microphysics with prognostic precipitation increases the ratio of accretion over autoconversion. The change in process rates appears to significantly reduce aerosol–cloud interactions and indirect radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols by up to 33% (depending on substepping) to below 1 W m−2 of cooling between simulations with preindustrial (1850) and present-day (2000) aerosol emissions.

Denotes Open Access content.

Supplemental information related to this paper is available at the Journals Online website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00103.s1.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Corresponding author address: A. Gettelman, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305. E-mail: andrew@ucar.edu

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