Remote sounding of the cirrus optical depth and temperature from 3.7 and 11 micrometer windows

On the basis of forward IR radiation transfer analyses for an atmosphere containing semi-transparent, non-black cirrus, parameterization equations are derived for the retrieval of the cloud optical depth and cloud temperature utilizing AVHRR 3.7 and 10.8 μum channels. The retrieval techniques developed involve the use of either dual-frequency or dual-scanning angle radiance observations. We show that the cloud optical depth and cloud temperature may be inferred successively from the observed brightness temperature differences using these two techniques. Numerical experiments anderror analyses demonstrate that the dual-frequency method is specifically appropriate for optically thin cirrus cases (τ <1). In case the optical depth of cirrus is close to 3, combination of dual-frequency and dual-scanning angle methods is shown to give reasonable accuracy for the cloud optical depth and temperature retrieval.     

Thermal radiative fluxes through inhomogeneous cloud fields: a sensitivity study using a new stochastic cloud generator

We analyze the effects of flat and bumpy top, fractional and internally inhomogeneous cloud layers on large area-averaged thermal radiative fluxes. Inhomogeneous clouds are generated by a new stochastic model: the tree-driven mass accumulation process (tdMAP). This model is able to provide stratocumulus and cumulus cloud fields with properties close to those observed in real clouds. A sensitivity study of cloud parameters is done by analyzing differences between 3D fluxes simulated by the spherical harmonic discrete ordinate method and three “standard” models likely to be used in general circulation models: plane-parallel homogeneous cloud model (PPH), PPH with fractional cloud coverage model (FCPPH) and independent pixel approximation model (IPA). We show that thermal fluxes are strong functions of fractional cloud coverage, mean optical depth, mean geometrical thickness and cloud base altitude. Fluctuations of “in-cloud” horizontal variability in optical depth and cloud-top bumps have negligible effects in the whole. We also showed that PPH, FCPPH and IPA models are not suitable to compute thermal fluxes of flat top fractional inhomogeneous cloud layer, except for completely overcast cloud. This implies that horizontal transport of photon at thermal wavelengths is important when cloudy cells are separated by optically thin regions.     

An algorithm for generating stochastic cloud fields from radar profile statistics

An algorithm is described for generating stochastic three-dimensional (3D) cloud fields from time–height fields derived from vertically pointing radar. This model is designed to generate cloud fields that match the statistics of the input fields as closely as possible. The major assumptions of the algorithm are that the statistics of the fields are translationally invariant in the horizontal and independent of horizontal direction; however, the statistics do depend on height. The algorithm outputs 2D or 3D stochastic fields of liquid water content (LWC) and (optionally) effective radius. The algorithm is a generalization of the Fourier filtering methods often used for stochastic cloud models. The Fourier filtering procedure generates Gaussian stochastic fields from a “Gaussian” cross-correlation matrix, which is a function of a pair of heights and the horizontal distance (or “lag”). The Gaussian fields are nonlinearly transformed to give the correct LWC histogram for each height. The “Gaussian” cross-correlation matrix is specially chosen so that, after the nonlinear transformation, the cross-correlation matrix of the cloud mask fields approximately matches that derived from the input LWC fields. The cloud mask correlation function is chosen because the clear/cloud boundaries are thought to be important for 3D radiative transfer effects in cumulus.The stochastic cloud generation algorithm is tested with 3 months of boundary layer cumulus cloud data from an 8.6-mm wavelength radar on the island of Nauru. Winds from a 915-MHz wind profiler are used to convert the radar fields from time to horizontal distance. Tests are performed comparing the statistics of 744 radar-derived input fields to the statistics of 100 2D and 3D stochastic output fields. The single-point statistics as a function of height agree nearly perfectly. The input and stochastic cloud mask cross-correlation matrices agree fairly well. The cloud fractions agree to within 0.005 (the total cloud fraction is 18%). The cumulative distributions of optical depth, cloud thickness, cloud width, and intercloud gap length agree reasonably well. In the future, this stochastic cloud field generation algorithm will be used to study domain-averaged 3D radiative transfer effects in cumulus clouds.     

云和辐射 （II）:环流模式中的云和云辐射参数化

这一部分论述了在环流模式中应用的各种云参数化和云辐射参数化方案。云参数化分为云的诊断和预报二大类，云辐射参数化则包活云光学性质的参数化和云整体辐射性质（反射率、透过率、吸收率和发射率）的参数化。     

MIXED-PHASE STRATIFORM CLOUD SYSTEM MODEL AND CASE MODELING ON TWO LOW-LEVEL MESOSCALE VORTICES

We introduced the two-parameter stratiform cloud model of Hu and Yan (1986) into the mesoscale model of Anthes et al.(1987),and reprogramed the latter,then constructed a three-dimensional stratiform cloud system model which includes three phases of water and detailed cloud physical processes.For the stability and accuracy of calculation in a larger time step,we accepted a set of hybrid-schemes for all and the time split scheme for some of the cloud physical processes,and proposed a parameterized method which calculates different types of phase change processes simultaneously,and designed the falling schemes of particles following the Lagrangian method.We used a dry model,a cumulus parameterization model,a two-phase explicit scheme model,and the model presented here to simulate two low-level mesoscale vortices,compared and analysed the simulating capability of these models.The results show that in simulation of the circulation structure of meso-vortex,the structure of cloud system,and surface precipitation,the model presented here is more reasonable and closer to the observations than other models.     

高分辨率模式中积云参数化方案对模拟台风“凡亚比”的影响

在高水平分辨率模式(3～6 km)中,对于是否应该再使用积云参数化方案,仍存在着争论.为此,利用WRF模式,在5 km水平分辨率下,研究了不同云降水方案对一次台风过程模拟的影响,并对影响原因进行了初步探索.结果表明,即使在5 km高水平分辨率下,使用积云参数化方案仍能有效改善对台风路径的模拟,同时,成熟的混合冰相微物理方案对模拟台风路径也非常重要;对台风强度模拟,对积云参数化方案的选择较为敏感和复杂;在48 h预报时效内,只使用微物理方案模拟的降水较好,使用积云参数化方案容易产生较多的虚假降水,但能改善第3天24 h累积降水模拟.这些研究结果为利用高水平分辨率模式模拟台风和改进积云参数化方案提供一定借鉴.     

On the radiative properties of ice clouds: Light scattering,remote sensing,and radiation parameterization

Presented is a review of the radiative properties of ice clouds from three perspectives: light scattering simulations, remote sensing applications, and broadband radiation parameterizations appropriate for numerical models. On the subject of light scattering simulations, several classical computational approaches are reviewed, including the conventional geometric-optics method and its improved forms, the finite-difference time domain technique, the pseudo-spectral time domain technique, the discrete dipole approximation method, and the T-matrix method, with specific applications to the computation of the singlescattering properties of individual ice crystals. The strengths and weaknesses associated with each approach are discussed.With reference to remote sensing, operational retrieval algorithms are reviewed for retrieving cloud optical depth and effective particle size based on solar or thermal infrared(IR) bands. To illustrate the performance of the current solar- and IR-based retrievals, two case studies are presented based on spaceborne observations. The need for a more realistic ice cloud optical model to obtain spectrally consistent retrievals is demonstrated. Furthermore, to complement ice cloud property studies based on passive radiometric measurements, the advantage of incorporating lidar and/or polarimetric measurements is discussed.The performance of ice cloud models based on the use of different ice habits to represent ice particles is illustrated by comparing model results with satellite observations. A summary is provided of a number of parameterization schemes for ice cloud radiative properties that were developed for application to broadband radiative transfer submodels within general circulation models(GCMs). The availability of the single-scattering properties of complex ice habits has led to more accurate radiation parameterizations. In conclusion, the importance of using nonspherical ice particle models in GCM simulations for climate studies is proven.     

A process oriented characterization of tropical oceanic clouds for climate model evaluation, based on a statistical analysis of daytime A-train observations

This paper aims at characterizing how different key cloud properties (cloud fraction, cloud vertical distribution, cloud reflectance, a surrogate of the cloud optical depth) vary as a function of the others over the tropical oceans. The correlations between the different cloud properties are built from 2?years of collocated A-train observations (CALIPSO-GOCCP and MODIS) at a scale close to cloud processes; it results in a characterization of the physical processes in tropical clouds, that can be used to better understand cloud behaviors, and constitute a powerful tool to develop and evaluate cloud parameterizations in climate models. First, we examine a case study of shallow cumulus cloud observed simultaneously by the two sensors (CALIPSO, MODIS), and develop a methodology that allows to build global scale statistics by keeping the separation between clear and cloudy areas at the pixel level (250, 330?m). Then we build statistical instantaneous relationships between the cloud cover, the cloud vertical distribution and the cloud reflectance. The vertical cloud distribution indicates that the optically thin clouds (optical thickness <1.5) dominate the boundary layer over the trade wind regions. Optically thick clouds (optical thickness >3.4) are composed of high and mid-level clouds associated with deep convection along the ITCZ and SPCZ and over the warm pool, and by stratocumulus low level clouds located along the East coast of tropical oceans. The cloud properties are analyzed as a function of the large scale circulation regime. Optically thick high clouds are dominant in convective regions (CF?>?80?%), while low level clouds with low optical thickness (<3.5) are present in regimes of subsidence but in convective regimes as well, associated principally to low cloud fractions (CF?<?50?%). A focus on low-level clouds allows us to quantify how the cloud optical depth increases with cloud top altitude and with cloud fraction.     

A GCSS Boundary-Layer Cloud Model Intercomparison Study Of The First Astex Lagrangian Experiment

Three single-column models (all with an explicit liquid water budget and compara-tively high vertical resolution) and three two-dimensional eddy-resolving models (including one with bin-resolved microphysics) are compared with observations from the first ASTEX Lagrangian experiment. This intercomparison was a part of the second GCSS boundary-layer cloud modelling workshop in August 1995.In the air column tracked during the first ASTEX Lagrangian experiment, a shallow subtropical drizzling stratocumulus-capped marine boundary layer deepens after two days into a cumulus capped boundary layer with patchy stratocumulus. The models are forced with time varying boundary conditions at the sea-surface and the capping inversion to simulate the changing environment of the air column.The models all predict the observed deepening and decoupling of the boundary layer quite well, with cumulus cloud evolution and thinning of the overlying stratocumulus. Thus these models all appear capable of predicting transitions between cloud and boundary-layer types with some skill. The models also produce realistic drizzle rates, but there are substantial quantitative differences in the cloud cover and liquid water path between models. The differences between the eddy-resolving model results are nearly as large as between the single column model results. The eddy resolving models give a more detailed picture of the boundary-layer evolution than the single-column models, but are still sensitive to the choice of microphysical and radiative parameterizations, sub-grid-scale turbulence models, and probably model resolution and dimensionality. One important example of the differences seen in these parameterizations is the absorption of solar radiation in a specified cloud layer, which varied by a factor of four between the model radiation parameterizations.     

层状云对积云发展和降水的影响——一种云与云之间影响的数值模拟

利用我们已建立的二维积云降水模式,在相同的大气层结条件下,模拟了孤立积云和层状云中积云的发展和降水情况。结果表明,层状云的存在对积云的发展有显著的促进作用,降水量可加大到几到几十倍,从而认为积层混合云系可能是产生大雨和暴雨的一种重要机构,这与梅雨锋里锋区混合云系常产生暴雨的观测事实比较符合。     

LMDZ5B: the atmospheric component of the IPSL climate model with revisited parameterizations for clouds and convection

Based on a decade of research on cloud processes, a new version of the LMDZ atmospheric general circulation model has been developed that corresponds to a complete recasting of the parameterization of turbulence, convection and clouds. This LMDZ5B version includes a mass-flux representation of the thermal plumes or rolls of the convective boundary layer, coupled to a bi-Gaussian statistical cloud scheme, as well as a parameterization of the cold pools generated below cumulonimbus by re-evaporation of convective precipitation. The triggering and closure of deep convection are now controlled by lifting processes in the sub-cloud layer. An available lifting energy and lifting power are provided both by the thermal plumes and by the spread of cold pools. The individual parameterizations were carefully validated against the results of explicit high resolution simulations. Here we present the work done to go from those new concepts and developments to a full 3D atmospheric model, used in particular for climate change projections with the IPSL-CM5B coupled model. Based on a series of sensitivity experiments, we document the differences with the previous LMDZ5A version distinguishing the role of parameterization changes from that of model tuning. Improvements found previously in single-column simulations of case studies are confirmed in the 3D model: (1) the convective boundary layer and cumulus clouds are better represented and (2) the diurnal cycle of convective rainfall over continents is delayed by several hours, solving a longstanding problem in climate modeling. The variability of tropical rainfall is also larger in LMDZ5B at intraseasonal time-scales. Significant biases of the LMDZ5A model however remain, or are even sometimes amplified. The paper emphasizes the importance of parameterization improvements and model tuning in the frame of climate change studies as well as the new paradigm that represents the improvement of 3D climate models under the control of single-column case studies simulations.     

Evaluation of grid-point atmospheric model of IAP LASG version 2 (GAMIL2)

The Grid-point Atmospheric Model of IAP LASG version 2 (GAMIL2) has been developed through upgrading the deep convection parameterization, cumulus cloud fraction and two-moment cloud microphysical scheme, as well as changing some of the large uncertain parameters. In this paper, its performance is evaluated, and the results suggest that there are some significant improvements in GAMIL2 compared to the previous version GAMIL1, for example, the components of the energy budget at the top of atmosphere (TOA) and surface; the geographic distribution of shortwave cloud radiative forcing (SWCF); the ratio of stratiform versus total rainfall; the response of atmospheric circulation to the tropical ocean; and the eastward propagation and spatiotemporal structures of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO). Furthermore, the indirect aerosols effect (IAE) is -0.94 W m-2, within the range of 0 to -2 W m-2 given by the IPCC 4th Assessment Report (2007). The influence of uncertain parameters on the MJO and radiation fluxes is also discussed.     

Influence of the total atmospheric optical depth and cloud cover on solar irradiance components

Broadband solar irradiance data obtained in the spectral range 400–940 nm at Kwangju, South Korea from 1999–2000 have been analyzed to investigate the effects of cloud cover and atmospheric optical depth on solar radiation components. Results from measurements indicate that the percentage of direct and diffuse horizontal components of solar irradiance depend largely on total optical depth (TOD) and cloud cover. During summer and spring, the percentages of diffuse solar irradiance relative to the global irradiance were 5.0% and 4.9% as compared to 2.2% and 3.0% during winter and autumn. The diffuse solar irradiance is higher than the direct in spring and summer by 24.2%, and 40.6%, respectively, which may largely be attributed to the attenuation (scattering) of radiation by heavy dust pollution and large cloud amount. In cloud-free conditions with cloud cover ≤2/10, the fraction of the direct and diffuse components were 66.0% and 34.0%, respectively, with a mean daily global irradiance value of 7.92±2.91 MJ m⁻² day⁻¹. However, under cloudy conditions (with cloud cover ≥8/10), the diffuse and direct fractions were 97.9% and 2.2% of the global component, respectively. The annual mean TOD under cloudless conditions (cloud cover≤2/10) yields 0.74±0.33 and increased to as much as 3.15±0.67 under cloudy conditions with cloud amount ≥8/10. An empirical formula is derived for estimating the diffuse and direct components of horizontal solar irradiance by considering the total atmospheric optical depth (TOD). Results from statistical models are shown for the estimation of solar irradiance components as a function of TOD with sufficient accuracy as indicated by low standard error for each solar zenith angle (SZA).     

The cloud processes of a simulated moderate snowfall event in North China

The understanding of the cloud processes of snowfall is essential to the artificial enhancement of snow and the numerical simulation of snowfall. The mesoscale model MM5 is used to simulate a moderate snowfall event in North China that occurred during 20–21 December 2002. Thirteen experiments are performed to test the sensitivity of the simulation to the cloud physics with different cumulus parameterization schemes and different options for the Goddard cloud microphysics parameterization schemes. It is shown that the cumulus parameterization scheme has little to do with the simulation result. The results also show that there are only four classes of water substances, namely the cloud water, cloud ice, snow, and vapor, in the simulation of the moderate snowfall event. The analysis of the cloud microphysics budgets in the explicit experiment shows that the condensation of supersaturated vapor, the depositional growth of cloud ice, the initiation of cloud ice, the accretion of cloud ice by snow, the accretion of cloud water by snow, the deposition growth of snow, and the Bergeron process of cloud ice are the dominant cloud microphysical processes in the simulation. The accretion of cloud water by snow and the deposition growth of the snow are equally important in the development of the snow.     

A Numerical Study of Sensitivity of the Physical Dissipative Technique to Precipitation Parameterization in a Mesoscale Model

1. IntroductionRecently, the improvement of accuracy in the out-puts of a numerical mesoscale model by the physi-cal dissipative technique is reached (Liu et al., 2002;Liu and Liu, 2003). The effect of improvement ofthis technique differs not only from model to model,but from scheme to scheme of parameterization em-ployed in the same model. The rapid developmentof the computer technology makes possible the com-plicated numerical experiments by a model with highresolution and multiple domains …     

EFFECTS OF STRATIFORM CLOUD ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CUMULUS CLOUD AND ITS PRECIPITATION

Based on the two-dimensional slab-symmetric model of cumulus clouds established by the authors,thedevelopment of the cumulus cloud and its precipitation in environments with and without the stratiform cloudpresent has been simulated numerically in almost the same atmospheric stratification.Results show that thepresence of the stratiform cloud has a significant effect on the development of the cumulus cloud and theincreae of its precipitation.The rainfall may increase by scveral to tens of times.It is believed that theconvective-stratiform mixed cloud system may be important for producing heavy to torrential rain.This isin good agreement with what has been observed in the Meiyu frontal cloud system in recent investigations     

Evaluation of tropical cloud regimes in observations and a general circulation model

Tropical cloud regimes defined by cluster analysis of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud top pressure (CTP)–optical thickness distributions and ISCCP-like Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) general circulation model (GCM) output are analyzed in this study. The observations are evaluated against radar–lidar cloud-top profiles from the atmospheric radiation measurement (ARM) Program active remote sensing of cloud layers (ARSCL) product at two tropical locations and by placing them in the dynamical context of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). ARSCL highest cloud-top profiles indicate that differences among some of the six ISCCP regimes may not be as prominent as suggested by ISCCP at the ARM tropical sites. An experimental adjustment of the ISCCP CTPs to produce cloud-top height profiles consistent with ARSCL eliminates the independence between those regimes. Despite these ambiguities, the ISCCP regime evolution over different phases of the MJO is consistent with existing MJO mechanisms, but with a greater mix of cloud types in each phase than is usually envisioned. The GISS Model E GCM produces two disturbed and two suppressed regimes when vertical convective condensate transport is included in the model’s cumulus parameterization. The primary model deficiencies are the absence of an isolated cirrus regime, a lack of mid-level cloud relative to ARSCL, and a tendency for occurrences of specific parameterized processes such as deep and shallow convection and stratiform low cloud formation to not be associated preferentially with any single cloud regime.     

Simulation of marine stratocumulus: effect of precipitation parameterization and sensitivity to droplet number concentration

Marine stratocumulus observations show a large variability in cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) related to variability in aerosol concentration. Changes in CDNC modify the cloud reflectivity, but also affect cloud water content, cloud lifetime, and cloudiness, through changes in precipitation. In mesoscale models and general circulation models (GCMs), precipitation mechanisms are parameterized. Here we examine how the precipitation parameterization can affect the simulated cloud. Simulations are carried out with the one-dimensional version of the hydrostatic primitive equation model MAR (Modéle Atmosphérique Régional) developed at the Université catholique de Louvain. It includes a E- turbulence closure, a wide-band formulation of the radiative transfer, and a parameterized microphysics including prognostic equations for water vapour, cloud droplets and rain drops concentrations. In a first step, the model is used to simulate a horizontally homogeneous stratocumulus deck observed during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) on the night of 12–13 June 1992. The observations show that the model is able to realistically reproduce the vertical structure of the cloud-topped boundary layer. In a second step, several precipitation parameterizations commonly used in mesoscale models and GCMs are tested. It is found that most parameterizations tend to overestimate the precipitation, which results in an underestimation of the vertically integrated liquid water content. Afterwards, using those parameterizations that are sensitive to CDNC, several simulations are performed to estimate the effect of CDNC variations on the simulated cloud. Based upon the simulation results, we argue that currently used parameterizations do not enable assessment of such a sensitivity.     

1960年以来东亚季风区云-降水微物理的直接观测研究

云-降水的直接观测结果是云微物理参数化的重要依据。自1960年以来,处于东亚季风影响下的中国实施了大量对云-降水微物理参数的观测和研究,旨在加深对云-降水微物理过程的认识,从而改进数值模式中云微物理参数化方案和指导人工影响天气作业。云-降水微物理参数包括气溶胶、冰核、云滴、雨滴、冰晶、雪晶、冰雹等粒子浓度和谱分布,以及云滴、雨滴含水量等。中国已有云-降水微物理参数的成果可归纳为:(1)通常云-降水微物理粒子浓度变化较大,但总体变化有一定的范围;(2)采用Γ函数拟合云滴谱更接近实际谱,但不同拟合谱参数差异较大;(3)可用指数函数和Γ函数来拟合层状云降水雨滴谱,Γ函数拟合积云和层积混合云降水雨滴谱精度更高;(4)中国冰核浓度较高,冰核浓度随温度的降低近似成指数变化;(5)冰晶谱、雪晶谱、冰雹谱通常采用指数函数来描述;(6)通常使用荣格(Junge)和Γ函数来分段描述气溶胶粒子谱拟合误差更小。由于云-降水过程及其反馈作用描述不准确是数值模式预报结果不确定性的最大因素,中国正在不断地推进云降水的微物理观测研究,以期进一步加深对东亚季风区云-降水微物理特征的认识,从而为模式中微物理参数化方案的改进提供观测依据和科学指导。基于数值预报模式中云微物理过程参数化发展的需要,总结了中国1960年以来云-降水微物理直接观测的研究成果,可为东亚地区云-降水微物理研究及其模式参数化方案的改进提供观测依据。此外,针对云微物理参化发展的需求,结合过去已有的大量观测提出了几点建议,为今后云-降水物理综合性观测方案的设计提供参考。     

A source of hail embryos

Abstract

The sensitivity of the annual cycle of ice cover in Baffin Bay to short‐wave radiation is investigated. The Princeton Ocean Model (POM) is used and is coupled with a multi‐category, dynamic‐thermodynamic sea‐ice model in which the surface energy balance governs the growth rates of ice of varying thickness. During spring and summer the short‐wave radiation flux dominates other surface heat fluxes and thus has the greatest effect on the ice melt. The sensitivity of model results to short‐wave radiation is tested using several, commonly used, shortwave parameterizations under climatological, as well as short‐term, atmospheric forcing. The focus of this paper is short‐term and annual variability. It is shown that simulated ice cover is sensitive to the short‐wave radiation formulation during the melting phase. For the Baffin Bay simulation, the differences in the resulting ice area and volume, integrated from May to November, can be as large as 45% and 70%, respectively. The parameterization of the effect of cloud cover on the short‐wave radiation can result in the sea‐ice area and volume changes reaching 20% and 30%, respectively. The variation of the cloud amount represents cloud data error, and has a relatively small effect (less then ±4%) on the simulated ice conditions. This is due to the fact that the effect of cloud cover on the short‐wave radiation flux is largely compensated for by its effect on the net near‐surface long‐wave radiation flux.