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Impact of different parameterization schemes on simulation of mesoscale convective system over south-east India

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Abstract

Main objective of the present paper is to examine the role of various parameterization schemes in simulating the evolution of mesoscale convective system (MCS) occurred over south-east India. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, numerical experiments are conducted by considering various planetary boundary layer, microphysics, and cumulus parameterization schemes. Performances of different schemes are evaluated by examining boundary layer, reflectivity, and precipitation features of MCS using ground-based and satellite observations. Among various physical parameterization schemes, Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ) boundary layer scheme is able to produce deep boundary layer height by simulating warm temperatures necessary for storm initiation; Thompson (THM) microphysics scheme is capable to simulate the reflectivity by reasonable distribution of different hydrometeors during various stages of system; Betts–Miller–Janjic (BMJ) cumulus scheme is able to capture the precipitation by proper representation of convective instability associated with MCS. Present analysis suggests that MYJ, a local turbulent kinetic energy boundary layer scheme, which accounts strong vertical mixing; THM, a six-class hybrid moment microphysics scheme, which considers number concentration along with mixing ratio of rain hydrometeors; and BMJ, a closure cumulus scheme, which adjusts thermodynamic profiles based on climatological profiles might have contributed for better performance of respective model simulations. Numerical simulation carried out using the above combination of schemes is able to capture storm initiation, propagation, surface variations, thermodynamic structure, and precipitation features reasonably well. This study clearly demonstrates that the simulation of MCS characteristics is highly sensitive to the choice of parameterization schemes.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to scientific data centers NCEP, GES DISC, JAXA, and ISRO. WRF USERS page is greatly acknowledged for making the WRF model freely accessible to the user community. This research was funded by National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) under the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) program sponsored by Department of Space (DOS), India. The first author was funded to carry out her Ph.D. thesis work under this program. Authors gratefully acknowledge Dr A. Jayaraman, Director NARL for his support and encouragement in providing High Performance Computing facilities and necessary observations to carry out this work. Special thanks to Dr. S.B. Thampi of Doppler Weather Radar Division, India, Meteorological Department (IMD), Chennai, India for providing DWR data. The in situ observations and DWR data utilised in this study can be available on special request at http://www.narl.gov.in and http://www.imd.gov.in respectively. We would like to thank two anonymous reviewers and editor for their helpful suggestions.

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  1. National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Department of Space, Gadanki, 517112, India

    A. Madhulatha

  2. Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, 110003, India

    M. Rajeevan

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  1. A. Madhulatha
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  2. M. Rajeevan
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Correspondence to A. Madhulatha.

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Madhulatha, A., Rajeevan, M. Impact of different parameterization schemes on simulation of mesoscale convective system over south-east India. Meteorol Atmos Phys 130, 49–65 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-017-0502-4

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