Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Sensitivity of Equatorial Convection to Horizontal Resolution in Aquaplanet Simulations with a Variable-Resolution GCM

Virginie Lorant Météo-France CNRM, Toulouse, France

Search for other papers by Virginie Lorant in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
Jean-François Royer Météo-France CNRM, Toulouse, France

Search for other papers by Jean-François Royer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Nov 2001
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2001)129<2730:SOECTH>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2730–2745
Restricted access

We are aware of a technical issue preventing figures and tables from showing in some newly published articles in the full-text HTML view.
While we are resolving the problem, please use the online PDF version of these articles to view figures and tables.

Abstract

Climate simulations using idealized zonally symmetric boundary conditions (an aquaplanet) are performed in order to highlight possible deviations from zonality introduced by the spatial variations in resolution caused by the variable resolution technique. Simulations at three different uniform resolutions with spectral truncations T21, T63, and T106 are used as control simulations, and analyzed in order to describe the zonal climate simulated by this version of the ARPEGE-Climat general circulation model and establish its sensitivity to varying spatial resolution. The model simulates a single equatorial precipitation maximum in which the activity of the convective cells is modulated by westward and eastward propagating equatorial waves, depending on the resolution. A simulation with the variable resolution technique using a truncation T63 and a stretching factor of 3 with the maximum resolution pole placed at the equator is then compared to the uniform resolution simulations. Deviations from the zonally symmetric solution are produced by the sensitivity of tropospheric dynamics and moisture to the local resolution similar to those found at uniform resolution. An unsatisfactory feature of this simulation is the slowing down or reversing of the propagating convective cells in the low-resolution regions, which leads to an intensification of convective precipitation in this region, with the formation of a nonzonal Walker-type circulation in the equatorial plane. Analysis of four other simulations with different truncations and stretching factors (T42s2, T63s3, T95s3, T79s2.5) shows that this deficiency is strongly reduced by increasing the minimal resolution of the stretched grid to be equivalent to T31, which allows a more homogeneous representation of convection over the entire range of resolutions used. The T79s2.5 resolution seems to provide a good choice for producing a reasonable approximation of the zonally symmetric aquaplanet climate.

Corresponding author address: J.-F. Royer, Météo-France CNRM/GMGEC/UDC, 42 Avenue G. Coriolis, 31057 Toulouse Cedex 1, France. Email: Jean-Francois.Royer@meteo.fr

Abstract

Climate simulations using idealized zonally symmetric boundary conditions (an aquaplanet) are performed in order to highlight possible deviations from zonality introduced by the spatial variations in resolution caused by the variable resolution technique. Simulations at three different uniform resolutions with spectral truncations T21, T63, and T106 are used as control simulations, and analyzed in order to describe the zonal climate simulated by this version of the ARPEGE-Climat general circulation model and establish its sensitivity to varying spatial resolution. The model simulates a single equatorial precipitation maximum in which the activity of the convective cells is modulated by westward and eastward propagating equatorial waves, depending on the resolution. A simulation with the variable resolution technique using a truncation T63 and a stretching factor of 3 with the maximum resolution pole placed at the equator is then compared to the uniform resolution simulations. Deviations from the zonally symmetric solution are produced by the sensitivity of tropospheric dynamics and moisture to the local resolution similar to those found at uniform resolution. An unsatisfactory feature of this simulation is the slowing down or reversing of the propagating convective cells in the low-resolution regions, which leads to an intensification of convective precipitation in this region, with the formation of a nonzonal Walker-type circulation in the equatorial plane. Analysis of four other simulations with different truncations and stretching factors (T42s2, T63s3, T95s3, T79s2.5) shows that this deficiency is strongly reduced by increasing the minimal resolution of the stretched grid to be equivalent to T31, which allows a more homogeneous representation of convection over the entire range of resolutions used. The T79s2.5 resolution seems to provide a good choice for producing a reasonable approximation of the zonally symmetric aquaplanet climate.

Corresponding author address: J.-F. Royer, Météo-France CNRM/GMGEC/UDC, 42 Avenue G. Coriolis, 31057 Toulouse Cedex 1, France. Email: Jean-Francois.Royer@meteo.fr

Save
Cover Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review

  • Boer, G. J., and M. Lazare, 1988: Some results concerning the effect of horizontal resolution and gravity-wave drag on simulated climate. J. Climate, 1 , 789–806.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bougeault, P., 1985: A simple parameterization of the large-scale effects of cumulus convection. Mon. Wea. Rev, 113 , 2108–2121.

  • Boville, B. A., 1991: Sensitivity of simulated climate to model resolution. J. Climate, 4 , 469–485.

  • Boyle, J. S., 1993: Sensitivity of dynamical quantities to horizontal resolution for a climate simulation using the ECMWF (cycle 33) model. J. Climate, 6 , 796–815.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Caian, M., and J. F. Geleyn, 1997: Some limits to the variable-mesh solution and comparison with the nested-LAM solution. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc, 123 , 743–766.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chen, J. H., and K. Miyakoda, 1974: A nested grid computation for the barotropic free surface atmosphere. Mon. Wea. Rev, 102 , 181–190.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Côté, J., M. Roch, A. Staniforth, and L. Fillion, 1993: A variable-resolution semi-Lagrangian finite-element global model of the shallow-water equations. Mon. Wea. Rev, 121 , 231–243.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Courtier, P., and J. F. Geleyn, 1988: A global numerical weather prediction model with variable resolution: Application to shallow-water equations. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc, 114B , 1321–1346.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Courtier, P., C. Freydier, J. F. Geleyn, F. Rabier, and M. Rochas, 1991: The ARPEGE project at METEO-FRANCE. Proc. Workshop on Numerical Methods in Atmospheric Modelling, Reading, United Kingdom, ECMWF, 193–231.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Déqué, M., 2000: Regional models. Numerical Modeling of the Global Atmosphere in the Climate System, P. Motte and A. O'Neill, Eds., Kluwer Academic, 403–418.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Déqué, M., and J. P. Piedelievre, 1995: High resolution climate simulation over Europe. Climate Dyn, 11 , 321–339.

  • Déqué, M., C. Dreveton, A. Braun, and D. Cariolle, 1994: The ARPEGE/IFS atmosphere model: A contribution to the French community climate modelling. Climate Dyn, 10 , 249–266.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Déqué, M., P. Marquet, and R. G. Jones, 1998: Simulation of climate change over Europe using a global variable resolution general circulation model. Climate Dyn, 14 , 173–189.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Doblas-Reyes, F. J., M. Déqué, F. Valero, and D. B. Stephenson, 1998:: North Atlantic wintertime intraseasonal variability and its sensitivity to GCM horizontal resolution. Tellus, 50A , 573–595.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fouquart, Y., and B. Bonnel, 1980: Computations of solar heating of the earth's atmosphere: A new parameterization. Contrib. Atmos. Phys, 53 , 35–62.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Geleyn, J. F., 1987: Use of a modified Richardson number for parameterizing the effect of shallow convection. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan (Suppl.: NWP Symp.), 141–149.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Geleyn, J. F., 1999: Adaptation of spectral methods to non-uniform mapping (global and local). Proc. Recent Developments in Numerical Methods for Atmospheric Modelling, Reading, United Kingdom, ECMWF, 226–265.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Geleyn, J. F., P. Bougeault, M. Rochas, D. Cariolle, J. P. Lafore, J. F. Royer, and J. C. André, 1988: The evolution of numerical weather prediction and atmospheric modelling at the French Weather Service. J. Theor. Appl. Mech, 7 , (Suppl. 2),. 87–110.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Graham, N. E., and T. P. Barnett, 1987: Sea surface temperature, surface wind divergence, and convection over tropical oceans. Science, 238 , 657–659.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hardiker, V., 1997: A global numerical weather prediction model with variable resolution. Mon. Wea. Rev, 125 , 59–73.

  • Hayashi, Y., 1982: Space–time spectral analysis and its applications to atmospheric waves. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 60 , 156–171.

  • Hayashi, Y., and A. Sumi, 1986: The 30–40 day oscillations simulated in an “aqua planet” model. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 64 , 451–467.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hayashi, Y., and T. Nakazawa, 1989: Evidence of the existence and eastward motion of superclusters at the equator. Mon. Wea. Rev, 117 , 236–243.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Held, I. M., and A. Y. Hou, 1980: Nonlinear axially symmetric circulations in a nearly inviscid atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci, 37 , 515–533.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hess, P. G., D. S. Battisti, and P. J. Rasch, 1993: Maintenance of the intertropical convergence zones and the large-scale tropical circulation on a water-covered earth. J. Atmos. Sci, 50 , 691–713.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hou, A. Y., and R. S. Lindzen, 1992: The influence of concentrated heating on the Hadley circulation. J. Atmos. Sci, 49 , 1233–1241.

  • Kiehl, J. T., and D. L. Williamson, 1991: Dependence of cloud amount on horizontal resolution in the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model. J. Geophys. Res, 96 , . (D6),. 10955–10980.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kodama, Y. M., 1999: Roles of the atmospheric heat sources in maintaining the subtropical convergence zones: An aquaplanet GCM study. J. Atmos. Sci, 56 , 4032–4049.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kuma, K. I., 1994: The Madden and Julian oscillation and tropical disturbances in an aqua-planet version of JMA global model with T63 and T159 resolution. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 72 , 147–172.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lau, K. M., L. Peng, C. H. Sui, and T. Nakazawa, 1989: Dynamics of super cloud clusters, westerly wind bursts, 30–60 day oscillations and ENSO: An unified view. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 67 , 205–219.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Louis, J. F., 1979: A parametric model of vertical eddy fluxes in the atmosphere. Bound.-Layer Meteor, 17 , 187–202.

  • Morcrette, J. J., 1991: Radiation and cloud radiative properties in the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts forecasting system. J. Geophys. Res, 96 , . (D5),. 9121–9132.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nakazawa, T., 1988: Tropical super clusters within intraseasonal variations over the western Pacific. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 66 , 823–839.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Numaguti, A., 1993: Dynamics and energy balance of the Hadley circulation and the tropical precipitation zones: Significance of the distribution of evaporation. J. Atmos. Sci, 50 , 1874–1887.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Phillips, T. J., L. C. Corsetti, and S. L. Grotch, 1995: The impact of horizontal resolution on moist processes in the ECMWF model. Climate Dyn, 11 , 85–102.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ricard, J. L., and J. F. Royer, 1993: A statistical cloud scheme for use in an AGCM. Ann. Geophys, 11 , 1095–1115.

  • Schmidt, F., 1977: Variable fine mesh in spectral global models. Contrib. Atmos. Phys, 50 , 211–217.

  • Sharma, O. P., H. Upadhyaya, T. Braine-Bonnaire, and R. Sadourny, 1987: Experiments on regional forecasting using a stretched coordinate general circulation model. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan (Suppl.: NWP Symp.), 263–271.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Staniforth, A. N., and H. L. Mitchell, 1978: A variable-resolution finite element technique for regional forecasting with the primitive equations. Mon. Wea. Rev, 106 , 439–447.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stephenson, D. B., F. Chauvin, and J. F. Royer, 1998: Simulation of the Asian summer monsoon and its dependence on model horizontal resolution. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 76 , 237–265.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sumi, A., 1992: Pattern formation of convective activity over the aqua-planet with globally uniform sea surface temperature (SST). J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 70 , 855–876.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Waliser, D. E., and N. E. Graham, 1993: Convective cloud systems and warm-pool sea surface temperatures: Coupled interactions and self-regulation. J. Geophys. Res, 98 , . (D7),. 12881–12894.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wheeler, M., and G. N. Kiladis, 1999: Convectively coupled equatorial waves: Analysis of clouds and temperature in the wavenumber–frequency domain. J. Atmos. Sci, 56 , 374–399.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Williamson, D. L., J. T. Kiehl, and J. J. Hack, 1995: Climate sensitivity of the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM2) to horizontal resolution. Climate Dyn, 11 . (7,) 377–397.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yessad, K., and P. Bénard, 1996: Introduction of a local mapping factor in the spectral part of the Meteo-France global variable mesh numerical forecast model. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc, 122 . (535,) 1701–1719.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 215 110 39
PDF Downloads 89 33 0