Summary
Cloud microphysical processes associated with the diurnal variations of tropical convection are investigated based on hourly data from a 2D coupled ocean-cloud resolving atmosphere simulation. The model is forced by the large-scale vertical velocity and zonal wind derived from TOGA COARE for a 50-day period. The diurnal composites are carried out in weak diurnal SST variations (case W) and strong diurnal SST signals (case S). The ice water path is larger than the liquid water path in case W than it is in case S. The difference is enhanced in the morning in case W and in the early afternoon in case S when the surface rain rates reach their peaks. Further comparison of cloud microphysics budgets, associated with rainfall peaks, between cases S and W shows that solar heating in case S warms air to reduce the contribution of vapor deposition to cloud growth, which decreases ice water path compared to those in case W. While the collection of cloud water by rain is a major contributor to the surface precipitation in both cases, the melting of precipitation ice (sum of snow and graupel) contributes less to the rainfall in case S than in case W.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D Adamec RL Elsberry RW Garwood RL Haney (1981) ArticleTitleAn embedded mixed-layer ocean circulation model. Dyn Atmos Oceans 6 IssueID2 69–96 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0377-0265(81)90016-6
Gao S, Ping F, Li X (2004) Tropical heat/water vapor quasi-equilibrium and cycle as simulated in a 2D cloud resolving model. Atmos Res (accepted)
WW Grabowski X Wu MW Moncrieff WD Hall (1998) ArticleTitleCloud-resolving model of tropical cloud systems during phase III of GATE. Part II: Effects of resolution and the third spatial dimension. J Atmos Sci 55 3264–3282
WM Gray RW Jacobson (1977) ArticleTitleDiurnal variation of deep cumulus convection. Mon Wea Rev 105 1171–1188
EB Kraus (1963) ArticleTitleThe diurnal precipitation change over the sea. J Atmos Sci 20 546–551 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(1963)020<0551:TDPCOT>2.0.CO;2
Li X (2004) Cloud modeling in the tropical deep convective regime. In: Observation, theory, and modeling of atmospheric variability (Zhu X, ed). World Scientific Publishing, pp 206–223
Li X, Weng F (2004) An operational cloud verification system and its application to validate cloud simulations in the operational models. 13th Conf. on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography, Norfolk, VA, September 20–24, 2004
X Li C-H Sui D Adamec K-M Lau (1998) ArticleTitleImpacts of precipitation in the upper ocean in the western Pacific warm pool during TOGA COARE. J Geophys Res 103 5347–5359
X Li C-H Sui K-M Lau M-D Chou (1999) ArticleTitleLarge-scale forcing and cloud-radiation interaction in the tropical deep convective regime. J Atmos Sci 56 3028–3042
X Li C-H Sui K-M Lau D Adamec (2000) ArticleTitleEffects of precipitation on ocean mixed-layer temperature and salinity as simulated in a 2-D coupled ocean-cloud resolving atmosphere model. J Meteor Soc Japan 78 647–659
X Li C-H Sui K-M Lau (2002) ArticleTitleDominant cloud microphysical processes in a tropical oceanic convective system: A 2-D cloud resolving modeling study. Mon Wea Rev 130 2481–2491
C Liu MW Moncrieff (1998) ArticleTitleA numerical study of the diurnal cycle of tropical oceanic convection. J Atmos Sci 55 2329–2344
Niiler PP, Kraus EB (1977) One-dimensional models. In: Modeling and prediction of the upper layers of the ocean (Kraus EB, ed), pp 143–172. Tarrytown New York: Pergamon
DA Short PA Kucera BS Ferrier JC Gerlach SA Rutledge OW Thiele (1997) ArticleTitleShipboard radar rainfall pattern within the TOGA/COARE IFA. Bull Amer Meteor Soc 78 2817–2836 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0477(1997)078<2817:SRRPWT>2.0.CO;2
ST Soong Y Ogura (1980) ArticleTitleResponse of tradewind cumuli to large-scale processes. J Atmo Sci 37 2035–2050
ST Soong WK Tao (1980) ArticleTitleResponse of deep tropical cumulus clouds to mesoscale processes. J Atmos Sci 37 2016–2034
C-H Sui K-M Lau Y Takayabu D Short (1997a) ArticleTitleDiurnal variations in tropical oceanic cumulus ensemble during TOGA COARE. J Atmos Sci 54 639–655 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(1997)054<0639:DVITOC>2.0.CO;2
C-H Sui X Li K-M Lau D Adamec (1997b) ArticleTitleMulti-scale air-sea interaction during TOGA COARE. Mon Wea Rev 125 448–462 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0493(1997)125<0448:MASIDT>2.0.CO;2
C-H Sui X Li K-M Lau (1998) ArticleTitleRadiative-convective processes in simulated diurnal variations of tropical oceanic convection. J Atmos Sci 55 2345–2359 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(1998)055<2345:RCPISD>2.0.CO;2
W-K Tao J Simpson (1993) ArticleTitleThe Goddard cumulus ensemble model. Part I: Model description. Terr Atmos Oceanic Sci 4 35–72
W-K Tao S Lang J Simpson C-H Sui B Ferrier M-D Chou (1996) ArticleTitleMechanisms of cloud-radiation interaction in the tropics and midlatitude. J Atmos Sci 53 2624–2651 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0469(1996)053<2624:MOCRII>2.0.CO;2
RA Weller SP Anderson (1996) ArticleTitleSurface meteorology and air-sea fluxes in the western equatorial Pacific warm pool during TOGA COARE. J Climate 9 1959–1990 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0442(1996)009<1959:SMAASF>2.0.CO;2
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gao, S., Ping, F. & Li, X. Cloud microphysical processes associated with the diurnal variations of tropical convection: A 2D cloud resolving modeling study. Meteorol. Atmos. Phys. 91, 9–16 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-005-0108-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-005-0108-5