Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Regional Assessments of Low Clouds against Large-Scale Stability in CAM5 and CAM-CLUBB Using MODIS and ERA-Interim Reanalysis Data

Terence L. Kubar Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Graeme L. Stephens Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

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Matthew Lebsock Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

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Vincent E. Larson University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Peter A. Bogenschutz National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
15 Feb 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00184.1
Page(s):
1685–1706
Restricted access

Abstract

Daily gridded cloud data from MODIS and ERA-Interim reanalysis have been assessed to examine variations of low cloud fraction (CF) and cloud-top height and their dependence on large-scale dynamics and a measure of stability. To assess the stratocumulus (Sc) to cumulus (Cu) transition (STCT), the observations are used to evaluate two versions of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5), both the base model and a version that has implemented a new subgrid low cloud parameterization, Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB).

The ratio of moist static energy (MSE) at 700–1000 hPa (MSEtotal) is a skillful predictor of median CF of screened low cloud grids. Values of MSEtotal less than 1.00 represent either conditionally or absolutely unstable layers, and probability density functions of CF suggest a preponderance of either trade Cu (median CF < 0.4) or transitional Sc clouds (0.4 < CF < 0.9). With increased stability (MSEtotal > 1.00), an abundance of overcast or nearly overcast low clouds exists. While both MODIS and ERA-Interim indicate a fairly smooth transition between the low cloud regimes, CAM5-Base simulates an abrupt shift from trade Cu to Sc, with trade Cu covering both too much area and occurring over excessively strong stabilities. In contrast, CAM-CLUBB simulates a smoother trade Cu to Sc transition (CTST) as a function of MSEtotal, albeit with too extensive coverage of overcast Sc in the primary northeastern Pacific subsidence region. While the overall CF distribution in CAM-CLUBB is more realistic, too few transitional clouds are simulated for intermediate MSEtotal compared to observations.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Terence L. Kubar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS 233-300, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. E-mail: terry.kubar@jpl.nasa.gov

Abstract

Daily gridded cloud data from MODIS and ERA-Interim reanalysis have been assessed to examine variations of low cloud fraction (CF) and cloud-top height and their dependence on large-scale dynamics and a measure of stability. To assess the stratocumulus (Sc) to cumulus (Cu) transition (STCT), the observations are used to evaluate two versions of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5), both the base model and a version that has implemented a new subgrid low cloud parameterization, Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB).

The ratio of moist static energy (MSE) at 700–1000 hPa (MSEtotal) is a skillful predictor of median CF of screened low cloud grids. Values of MSEtotal less than 1.00 represent either conditionally or absolutely unstable layers, and probability density functions of CF suggest a preponderance of either trade Cu (median CF < 0.4) or transitional Sc clouds (0.4 < CF < 0.9). With increased stability (MSEtotal > 1.00), an abundance of overcast or nearly overcast low clouds exists. While both MODIS and ERA-Interim indicate a fairly smooth transition between the low cloud regimes, CAM5-Base simulates an abrupt shift from trade Cu to Sc, with trade Cu covering both too much area and occurring over excessively strong stabilities. In contrast, CAM-CLUBB simulates a smoother trade Cu to Sc transition (CTST) as a function of MSEtotal, albeit with too extensive coverage of overcast Sc in the primary northeastern Pacific subsidence region. While the overall CF distribution in CAM-CLUBB is more realistic, too few transitional clouds are simulated for intermediate MSEtotal compared to observations.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Terence L. Kubar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS 233-300, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. E-mail: terry.kubar@jpl.nasa.gov
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