Intercomparison of Four Microphysics Schemes in Simulating Persistent Arctic Mixed-Phase Stratocumulus Clouds
Abstract
A Large Eddy Simulation of a case study of a persistent AMPS cloud was conducted using the WRF-ARW model. The produced cloud pattern and properties of four different microphysics schemes - P3, Thompson, Morrison, and WSM6 - are compared to observations. Results show that the Thompson scheme was able to best simulate observed conditions as a result of fewer aerosols acting as ice nucleating particles, which allowed the production of more liquid water within the cloud layer. Thompson was the only parameterization scheme to produce significant cloud liquid water, which resulted in additional cloud top radiative cooling, continued coupling with the surface, and sustainment of the cloud layer. The lack of cloud liquid water produced in the other three schemes resulted in the early dissipation of their cloud layers and, consequently, stronger surface cooling, which led to production of a surface-based inversion and a decoupling of the cloud layer. Due to the Thompson scheme's more accurate representation of the cloud structure, it also captured surface and cloud top temperatures which aligned more closely to observations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1167023
Entities
People
- Zachary A. Cleveland
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology