Parameterization of sub-grid latent heat release in trade wind cumulus clouds

Abstract

Funds are provided to conduct research on shallow marine trade cumulus, one of the most prevalent cloud types on Earth, that play an important role in establishing the thermodynamic structure of the lower atmosphere in the trade latitudes. A major factor in forecasting this thermodynamic structure in NWP models is accurate formulation of sub-grid scale latent heat release, which will be the focus of this project. The effort will include three tasks: The first is to conduct analysis of thermodynamical and microphysical parameters in order to find dependencies and feedbacks between condensation/evaporation (latent heat release) and thermodynamical parameters. The second task of our study is to conduct a detailed physical analysis of the condensation/evaporation (latent heat release) process under ambient conditions with different aerosol (CCN) loads. The PI will aim to develop a latent heat closure scheme that accounts for thermodynamic, microphysical, and aerosol parameters. The third task will be to implement the new parameterization into COAMPS and perform case studies in order to estimate the effect of SGS conversion rate variability on precipitation in mesoscale settings.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Dec 16, 2019
Source ID
N000142012050

Entities

People

  • Yefim Kogan

Organizations

  • Northwest Research Associates
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers