Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Evaluation of Tropical Cyclones in the Canadian Global Modeling System: Sensitivity to Moist Process Parameterization

A. Zadra Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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R. McTaggart-Cowan Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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P. A. Vaillancourt Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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M. Roch Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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S. Bélair Numerical Weather Prediction Research Section, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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A.-M. Leduc Canadian Meteorological Centre, Environment Canada, Dorval, Quebec, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Mar 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-13-00124.1
Page(s):
1197–1220
Restricted access

Abstract

Deep convection is one of various complex processes driving the evolution of tropical cyclones (TCs). The scales associated with deep convection are too small to be resolved by global NWP models. In the deep convection parameterization used by the Canadian Global Deterministic Prediction System (GDPS), the trigger function depends on various criteria, one of which is the adjustable “trigger velocity” parameter, a vertical velocity threshold used in the parcel stability test of the scheme. In this study, the sensitivity of the GDPS TC activity and precipitation distribution to convective triggering parameters is investigated by varying this threshold. Multiple basins are considered for three TC seasons, and the impacts of trigger velocity variations on TC statistics (forecast hits, bias, false alarms, and track and intensity errors) and on the model’s genesis potential index (GPI) are measured. It is shown that a reduction of the trigger velocity, from 0.05 to 0.01 m s−1, over the tropical oceans leads to increased convective stabilization of atmospheric columns, as well as an increase in convective precipitation amounts but a reduction in total (subgrid plus grid scale) precipitation accumulations. The trigger adjustment also yields a significant reduction of TC false alarm ratios, with no impact on forecast mean errors for true cyclones other than an expected deterioration of the intensity bias, and a systematic reduction of the average GPI over various basins at all lead times. A conceptual model is proposed to explain the relation between trigger adjustments and TC development.

Corresponding author address: Ayrton Zadra, RPN–Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, QC H1J 3P9, Canada. E-mail: ayrton.zadra@ec.gc.ca

Abstract

Deep convection is one of various complex processes driving the evolution of tropical cyclones (TCs). The scales associated with deep convection are too small to be resolved by global NWP models. In the deep convection parameterization used by the Canadian Global Deterministic Prediction System (GDPS), the trigger function depends on various criteria, one of which is the adjustable “trigger velocity” parameter, a vertical velocity threshold used in the parcel stability test of the scheme. In this study, the sensitivity of the GDPS TC activity and precipitation distribution to convective triggering parameters is investigated by varying this threshold. Multiple basins are considered for three TC seasons, and the impacts of trigger velocity variations on TC statistics (forecast hits, bias, false alarms, and track and intensity errors) and on the model’s genesis potential index (GPI) are measured. It is shown that a reduction of the trigger velocity, from 0.05 to 0.01 m s−1, over the tropical oceans leads to increased convective stabilization of atmospheric columns, as well as an increase in convective precipitation amounts but a reduction in total (subgrid plus grid scale) precipitation accumulations. The trigger adjustment also yields a significant reduction of TC false alarm ratios, with no impact on forecast mean errors for true cyclones other than an expected deterioration of the intensity bias, and a systematic reduction of the average GPI over various basins at all lead times. A conceptual model is proposed to explain the relation between trigger adjustments and TC development.

Corresponding author address: Ayrton Zadra, RPN–Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, QC H1J 3P9, Canada. E-mail: ayrton.zadra@ec.gc.ca
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