Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of Different Cumulus Parameterization Schemes in SAUDI-KAU AGCM

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Earth Systems and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

In global climate models (GCMs), the convection is parameterized, since the typical scale of this process is smaller than the model resolution.

Purpose

This study examines the impact of two different cumulus parameterization schemes on the simulated climate using single-column model (SCM) as well as in an atmospheric global climate model (AGCM).

Methods

The two schemes used are: the Simplified Arakawa–Schubert (SAS) scheme; and the Emanuel scheme coupled with a probability distribution function-based cloud parameterization scheme (EMAN).

Results

The humidity, temperature, cloud fraction, and precipitation simulations are improved in EMAN as compared to that of SAS in SCM. Climatological simulations (1981-2014) conducted using an AGCM at a moderate resolution (T106L44: 1.125° × 1.125°) indicated that the use of the EMAN improved the results. The precipitation over the tropical belt also showed improvements in terms of the distributions, biases, and association with observation. These improvements are attributable to a better vertical structure of temperature, especially in the tropics, due to the more realistic estimation of the temperature and moisture fields by the EMAN. The error estimated in outgoing long-wave radiation for EMAN is lower than that of the SAS. The vertical structure of specific humidity and temperature shows less error in EMAN as compared to SAS.

Conclusion

Results using the SCM and AGCM reveal the benefits of using the EMAN in comparison to the SAS which includes better simulation of the relative humidity, temperature, and precipitation fields.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler RF et al (2003) The version 2 global precipitation climatology project (GPCP) monthly precipitation analysis (1979-present). J Hydrometeorol 4:1147–1167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arakawa A (2004) The cumulus parameterization problem: past, present, and future. J Clim 17:2493–2525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arakawa A, Schubert WH (1974) Interaction of a cumulus ensemble with the large-scale environment, part I. J Atmos Sci 31:674–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betts AK, Miller MJ (1986) A new convective adjustment scheme. Part II: single column tests using GATE wave, BOMEX, ATEX and arctic air-mass data sets. Q J R Meteorol Soc 112:693–709

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonan GB (1996) The land surface climatology of the NCAR land surface model coupled to the NCAR Community Climate Model. J Clim 11:1307–1326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bony S, Emanuel KA (2001) A parameterization of the cloudiness associated with cumulus convection; evaluation using TOGA COARE data. J Atmos Sci 58:3158–3183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dee DP et al (2011) The ERA-interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system. Q J R Meteorol Soc 137:553–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehsan MA et al (2017) Sensitivity of AGCM simulated regional summer precipitation to different convective parameterizations. Int J Climatol. doi:10.1002/joc.5108

    Google Scholar 

  • Emanuel KA (1991) A scheme for representing cumulus convection in large-scale models. J Atmos Sci 48:2313–2335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emanuel KA, Zivkovic-Rothman M (1999) Development and evaluation of a convection scheme for use in climate models. J Atmos Sci 56:1766–1782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enomoto T, Kuwano-Yoshida A, Komori N, Ohfuchi W (2007) Description of AFES 2: improvements of high-resolution and coupled simulations. In: Ohfuchi W, Hamilton K (eds) High resolution numerical modelling of the atmosphere and ocean, Chap 5. Springer Publications, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory D, Rowntree PR (1990) A mass flux convection scheme with representation of cloud ensemble characteristics and stability-dependent closure. Mon Wea Rev 118:1483–1506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtslag AAM, Boville BA (1993) Local versus non-local boundary layer diffusion in a global climate model. J Clim 6:1825–1842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huffman GJ, Adler RF, Bolvin DT, Gu GJ, Nelkin EJ, Bowman KP, Hong Y, Stocker EF, Wolff DB (2007) The TRMM multisatellite precipitation analysis (TMPA): quasi-global, multiyear, combined-sensor precipitation estimates at fine scales. J Hydrometeorol 8:38–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kain JS, Fritsch JM (1993) Convective parameterization for mesoscale models: the Kain–Fritsch scheme. The representation of cumulus convection in numerical models of the atmosphere. In: Emanuel KA, Raymond DJ (eds) Meteorology nonographs, No. 46. Amer Meteor Soc, USA, pp 165–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanamitsu M, Ebisuzaki W, Woollen J, Yang SK, Hnilo JJ, Fiorino M, Potter GL (2002) NCEP-DOE AMIP-II reanalysis (R-2) dynamical seasonal forecast system 2000. Bull Am Meteor Soc 83:1631–1643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang HS, Hong SY (2008) Sensitivity of the simulated East Asian summer monsoon climatology to four convective parameterization schemes. J Geophys Res 113:D15119. doi:10.1029/2007JD009692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khairoutdinov M, Randall DA (2001) A cloud resolving model as a cloud parameterization in the NCAR community climate system model: preliminary results. Geophys Res Lett 28:3617–3620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiehl JT, Hack JJ, Bonan GB, Boville BB, Williamson DL, Rasch PJ (1998) The National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model: CCM3. J Clim 11:1131–1150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim D, Kang IS (2011) A bulk mass flux convection scheme for a climate model: description and moisture sensitivity. Clim Dyn 38:411–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuo HL (1965) On the formation and intensification of tropical cyclones through latent heat release by cumulus convection. J Atmos Sci 22:40–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Treut H, Li ZX (1991) Sensitivity of an atmospheric general circulation model to prescribed SST changes: feedback effects associated with the simulation of cloud optical properties. Clim Dyn 5:175–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee MI, Kang IS, Kim JK, Mapes BE (2001) Influence of cloud-radiation interaction on simulating tropical intraseasonal oscillation with an atmospheric general circulation model. J Geophys Res 106:14219–14233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee MI, Kang IS, Mapes BE (2003) Impacts of cumulus convection parameterization on aqua-planet AGCM simulations of tropical intraseasonal variability. J Meteorol Soc Jpn 81:963–992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima T, Tsukamoto M, Tsushima Y, Numaguti A (1995) Modelling of the radiative process in an AGCM. In: Matsuno T (ed) Climate system dynamics and modelling, vol I–3, pp 104–123

  • Numaguti A, Takahashi M, Nakajima T, Sumi A (1995) Development of an atmospheric general circulation model. In: Matsuno T (ed) Climate system dynamics and modelling, vol I–3, pp 1–27

  • Pezzi LP, Cavacanti IFA, Mendonca AM (2008) A sensitivity study using two different convection schemes over South America. Rev Bras de Meteorol 23:170–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall DA, Xu KM, Somerville RJC, Iacobellis S (1996) Single column models and cloud ensemble models as links between observations and climate models. J Clim 9:1683–1697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond DJ (1995) Regulation of moist convection over the west Pacific warm pool. J Atmos Sci 52:3945–3959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond DJ, Blyth M (1986) A stochastic model for nonprecipitating cumulus clouds. J Atmos Sci 43:2708–2718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rayner NA, Parker DE, Horton EB, Folland CK, Alexander LV, Rowell DP, Kent EC, Kaplan A (2003) Global analyses of sea surface temperature, sea ice, and night marine air temperature since the late nineteenth century. J Geophys Res 108:4407. doi:10.1029/2002JD002670

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rienecker MM et al (2011) MERRA: NASA’s modern-era retrospective analysis for research and applications. J Clim 24:3624–3648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stan C, Khairoutdinov M, DeMott CA, Krishnamurthy V, Straus DM, Randall DA, Kinter JL III, Shukla J (2010) An ocean–atmosphere climate simulation with an embedded cloud resolving model. Geophys Res Lett 37:L01702. doi:10.1029/2009GL040822

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiedtke M (1984) The effect of penetrative cumulus convection on the large-scale flow in a general circulation model. Beitrage zur Physik der Atmosphare 57:216–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiedtke M (1989) A comprehensive mass flux scheme for cumulus parameterization in large-scale models. Mon Weather Rev 117:1779–1800

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tost H, Jöckel P, Lelieveld J (2006) Influence of different convection parameterizations in a GCM. Atmos Chem Phys 6:5475–5493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Ding Q, Fu X, Kang I-S, Jin K, Shukla J, Doblas-Reyes F (2005) Fundamental challenge in simulation and prediction of summer monsoon rainfall. Geophys Res Lett 32:L15711. doi:10.1029/2005GL022734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster PJ, Lukas R (1992) TOGA COARE: the coupled ocean atmosphere response experiment. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 73:1377–1416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu R, Kirtman B, Pegion K (2006) Local air–sea relationship in observations and model simulations. J Climate 19:4914–4932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YM, Kang IS, Almazroui M (2014) A mass flux closure function in a GCM based on the Richardson number. Clim Dyn 42:1129–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yousef AE, Ehsan MA, Almazroui M, Assiri ME, Al-Khalaf AK (2017) An improvement in mass flux convective parameterizations and its impact on seasonal simulations using a coupled model. Theor Appl Climatol 127:779–791. doi:10.1007/s00704-015-1668-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang GJ, McFarlane NA (1995) Sensitivity of climate simulations to the parameterization of cumulus convection in the Canadian climate centre general circulation model. Atmos Ocean 33:407–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang GJ, Mu M (2005) Effects of modifications to the Zhang-McFarlane convection parameterization on the simulation of the tropical precipitation in the national center for atmospheric research community climate model, version 3. J Geophys Res 110:1–12

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work represents a part of the first author PhD research work. The authors would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Kerry Emanuel at MIT for providing the computer code for the Emanuel scheme. The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution from the anonymous reviewers whose useful comments and suggestion helped us to improve the present research paper. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research (CECCR), Department of Meteorology, Deanship of Graduate Studies and Deanship of Scientific Research, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for providing the necessary support to carry out this study. Computation for the work described in this paper was supported by King Abdulaziz University’s High Performance Computing Center (Aziz Supercomputer: http://hpc.kau.edu.sa).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology, Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research (CECCR), King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box: 80208, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad Azhar Ehsan, Mansour Almazroui & Ahmed Yousef

Authors
  1. Muhammad Azhar Ehsan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mansour Almazroui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ahmed Yousef
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muhammad Azhar Ehsan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ehsan, M.A., Almazroui, M. & Yousef, A. Impact of Different Cumulus Parameterization Schemes in SAUDI-KAU AGCM. Earth Syst Environ 1, 3 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-017-0003-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-017-0003-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation