Skip to main content
Log in

Multi-year simulations and experimental seasonal predictions for rainy seasons in China by using a nested regional climate model (RegCM_NCC). Part I: Sensitivity study

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A modified version of the NCAR/RegCM2 has been developed at the National Climate Center (NCC), China Meteorological Administration, through a series of sensitivity experiments and multi-year simulations and hindcasts, with a special emphasis on the adequate choice of physical parameterization schemes suitable for the East Asian monsoon climate. This regional climate model is nested with the NCC/IAP (Institute of Atmospheric Physics) T63 coupled GCM to make an experimental seasonal prediction for China and East Asia. The four-year (2001 to 2004) prediction results are encouraging. This paper is the first part of a two-part paper, and it mainly describes the sensitivity study of the physical process parameterization represented in the model. The systematic errors produced by the different physical parameterization schemes such as the land surface processes, convective precipitation, cloud-radiation transfer process, boundary layer process and large-scale terrain features have been identified based on multi-year and extreme flooding event simulations. A number of comparative experiments has shown that the mass flux scheme (MFS) and Betts-Miller scheme (BM) for convective precipitation, the LPMI (land surface process model I) and LPMII (land surface process model II) for the land surface process, the CCM3 radiation transfer scheme for cloud-radiation transfer processes, the TKE (turbulent kinetic energy) scheme for the boundary layer processes and the topography treatment schemes for the Tibetan Plateau are suitable for simulations and prediction of the East Asia monsoon climate in rainy seasons. Based on the above sensitivity study, a modified version of the RegCM2 (RegCM_NCC) has been set up for climate simulations and seasonal predictions.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anthes, R. A., 1977: A cumulus parameterization scheme utilizing a one-dimensional cloud model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 105, 270–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anthes, R. A., E. Y. Hsie, Y. H. Kuo, 1987: Description of the Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model Version 4 (MM4). Tech. Note NCAR/TN-282+STR, 66pp.

  • Barkstrom, B. R., 1984: The earth radiation budget experiment (ERBE). Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 65, 1170–1185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betts, A. K., and M. J. Miller, 1986: A new convective adjustment scheme. Part 2: Single column tests using GATE wave, BOMEX, ATEX and arctic air-mass datasets. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 112, 693–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, Johnny C. L., Y. Liu, K. C. Chow, Y. Ding, William K.M. Lau, and K. L. Chan, 2004: Design of a regional climate model for the simulation of South China summer monsoon rainfall. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 82, 1645–1665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Bomin, 1996: Forecast experiments of modified ECMWF mass flux cumulus parameterization scheme. Plateau Meteorology, 15, 37–47. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, R. E., A. Henderson-Sellers, P. J. Kennedy, 1993: Biosphere-Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS) Version 1e as coupled to the NCAR Community Climate Model. NCAR/ TN-387+STR, 72pp.

  • Ding Yihui, 1993: Research on the 1991 Persistent, Severe Flood over Yangtze-Huaihe River valley. Chinese Meteorological Press, 255pp. (in Chinese)

  • Ding Yihui, 1994: Monsoons over China. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 419pp.

  • Ding Yihui, and Liu Yanju, 2001: Onset and the evolution of the summer monsoon over the South China Sea during SCSMEX field experiment in 1998. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 79, 255–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, Zhang Jing, and Zhao Zongci, 1998: An improved land-surface processes model and its simulation experiment. Part II: An improved land surface processes model and its simulation experiment. Part II:land processes model (LPM-ZD) and its coupled simulation experiment with regional climate model. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 56, 385–400. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, and Coauthors, 2000: Improvement of high-resolution regional climate model and its application to numerical simulation of prolonged heavy rainfalls in East Asia. Development of Operational Short-term Climate Model, Series 2. Ding Yihui, Ed., China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 217–231. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, Liu Yiming, Song Yongjia, and Li Qingquan, 2002: Research and experiments of the short-term climate dynamical prediction model system in China. Climatic and Environmental Research, 7, 236–246. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, and Coauthors, 2004a: Advance in seasonal dynamical prediction operation in China. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 62, 598–612. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, Shi Xueli, Sun Ying, and Liu Yiming, 2004b: Simulations and predictions for flooding season in China by using the nested regional climate model. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 28, 205–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates, W. L., and Coauthors, 1999: An overview of the results of the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP 1). Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 80, 29–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., M. R. Marinucci, G. De Canio, and G. T. Bates, 1993a: Development of a second-generation regional climate model (RegCM2), Part I: Boundary layer and radiative transfer processes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 2794–2813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., M. R. Marinucci, and G. T. Bates, 1993b: Development of a second-generation regional climate model (RegCM2). Part II: Convective processes and assimilation of lateral boundary conditions. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 2814–2832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., L. O. Mearns, C. Shield, and L. Meyer, 1996: A regional model study of the importance of local versus remote controls of the 1988 drought and the 1993 flood over the central United States. J. Climate, 9, 1150–1162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., and C. Shields, 1999: Tests of precipitation parameterizations available in the latest version of the NCAR regional climate model (RegCM) over the continental U.S. J. Geophys, Res., 104, 6353–6376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., and L. O. Mearns, 1999: Introduction to special section: Regional climate modeling revisited. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 6335–6352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., Y. Huang, K. Nishizawa, and C. Fu, 1999: A seasonal cycle simulation over eastern Asia and its sensitivity to relative transfer and surface processes. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 6403–6423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., and B. Hewitson, 2001: Regional climate information—Evaluation and projection. Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Houghton et al., Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 585–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grell, G. A., 1993: Prognostic evaluation of assumptions used by cumulus parameterizations, Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 764–787.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtslag, A. A. M., E. I. F. De Bruijn, and H.-L. Pan 1990: A high-resolution air-mass transformation model for short-range weather forecasting. Mon. Wea. Rev., 118, 1561–1575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong, S.-Y., H.-M. H. Juang, and D.-K. Lee, 1999: Evaluation of a regional spectral model for the East Asian monsoon case studies for July 1987 and 1988. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 77, 553–572.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, I.-S., and Coauthors, 2002: Intercomparsion of the climatological variations of Asian summer monsoon precipitation simulated by 10 GCMs. Climate Dyn., 19, 383–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiehl, J. T., J. Hack, G. Bonan, B. Boville, B. Briegleb, D. Williamson, and P. Rasch, 1996: Description of the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM3). NCAR Tech. Rep., TN-420+STR, 152pp.

  • Lee, D.-K., and M.-S. Suh, 2000: Ten year Asian summer monsoon simulation using a regional climate model (RegCM2). J. Geophys. Res., 105, 29565–29577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, L. R., and S. J. Ghan, 1998: Parameterization subgrid orographic precipitation and surface cover in climate models. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 3271–3291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, L. R., S. J. Ghan, Z. C. Zhao, Y. Luo, W.-C. Wang, and H. L. Wei, 1999: Inter-comparison of regional climate simulations of 1991 summer monsoon in eastern Asia. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 6425–6454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Huaqiang, and Qian Yongfu, 2001: Effects of envelope orography and gravity wave drag parameterization on regional climate simulation. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 25, 209–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Huaqiang, Qian Yongfu, and Zheng Yiqun, 2002: Effects of nested area size upon regional climate model simulations. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 19, 111–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Yiming, and Ding Yihui, 2002a: Modified mass flux cumulus convective parameterization scheme and its simulation experiment—Part I: Mass flux scheme and its simulation of the 1991 flood event. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 16, 37–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Yiming, and Ding Yihui, 2002b: Simulation of heavy rainfall in the summer of 1998 over China with regional climate model. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 16, 346–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. Q., F. Giorgi, and W. M. Washington, 1994: Simulation of summer monsoon climate over East Asia with an NCAR regional climate model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 122, 2331–2348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. Q., R. Avissar, and F. Giorgi, 1996: Simulation with the regional climate model RegCM2 of extremely anomalous precipitation during the 1991 East Asian flood: An evaluation study. J. Geophys. Res., 101, 26199–26215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo Yong, Zhao Zongci, and Ding Yihui, 2002: Ability of NCAR RegCM2 in reproducing the dominant physical processes during the anomalous rainfall episodes in the summer of 1991 over the Yangtze-Huaihe valley. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 19, 236–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFarlane, N. A., 1987: The effect of orographically excited gravity wave drag on the general circulation of the stratosphere and troposphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 44, 1175–1800.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miao Manqian, Cao Hong, and Ji Jinjun, 1998: Analysis of turbulent characteristics in atmospheric boundary layer over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Plateau Meteorology, 17, 356–363. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • National Climate Center of China, 1998: The 1998 Severe Flood and the Climate Anomaly. China Meteorological Press, 139 pp. (in Chinese)

  • Ninomiya, K., and T. Murakami, 1987: The early summer rainy season (Baiu) over Japan. Monsoon Meteorology, C. P. Chang and T.N. Krishnmurti, Eds., Oxford University Press, 93–21.

  • Pan, Z., M. Segal, R. Turner, and E. Takle, 1995: Model simulation of impacts of transient surface wetness on summer rainfall in the United States Midwest during drought and flood years. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123, 1575–1581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Z., E. Takle, W. Gutowski, and R. Turner, 1999: Long simulation of regional climate as a sequence of short segments. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 308–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian Yongfu, 2000: Effects of envelope orography and gravity wave drag on performance of climate modeling. Quart. J. Appl. Meteor., 12, 14–20. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian Yongfu, Wang Qianqian, Liu Huaqiang, and Zheng Weizhong, 1999: Numerical modelings and problems of regional climate changes in China. Plateau Meteorology, 18, 341–349. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossow, W. B., and R. A. Schiffer, 1991: ISCCP cloud data products. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 72, 2–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Small, E. E., F. Giorgi, and L. C. Sloan, 1999: Regional climate model simulation of precipitation in central Asia: Mean and interannual variability. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 6563–6582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sperber, K. R., and Coauthors, 2001: Dynamic seasonal predictability of the Asian summer monsoon. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129, 2226–2248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Therry, G., and P. Lacarrere, 1983: Improving the eddy kinetic energy model for planetary boundary layer description. Bound.-Layer Meteor., 25, 63–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiedtke, M., 1989: A comprehensive mass flux scheme for cumulus parameterization in large-scale schemes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 117, 1179–1800.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, B., and X. H. Xu, 1997: Northern Hemisphere summer monsoon singularities and climatological intraseasonal oscillation. J. Climate, 10, 1071–1085.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W.-C., W. Gong, and H. L. Wei, 2000: A regional model simulation of the 1991 severe precipitation event over the Yangtze-Huai River Valley. Part I: Precipitation and circulation statistics. J. Climate, 13, 74–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. Q., O. L. Sen, and B. Wang, 2003: A higher resolved regional climate model (IPRC-RegCM) and its simulation of the 1998 severe precipitation event in China. Part I: Model description and verification of simulation. J. Climate, 16, 1721–1738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. Q., L. R. Leung, J. L. McGregor, D. K. Lee, W.-C. Wang, Y. Ding, and F. Kimura, 2004: Regional climate modeling: Progress, challenges, and prospects. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 82, 1599–1628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada, T., and G. Mellor, 1975: A simulation of the Wangara atmospheric boundary layer data. J. Atmos. Sci., 32, 2309–2329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai Guoqing, Gao Kun, and J. S. Pan, 2003: The sensitivity experiments of Betts-Miller convective parameterization scheme in regional climate simulation. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 27, 330–344. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Jing, and Ding Yihui, 1998: An improved landsurface processes model and its simulation experiment. Part I: Land-surface processes model (LPM-ZD) and its off-line tests and performance analysis. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 56, 2–19. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Xiuzhi, Wu Xunying, and He Jinhai, 2004: Vertical character of soil moisture in China. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 62, 51–61. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Yiqun, Miao Manqian, and Qian Yongfu, 1999: Turbulence kinetic energy turbulence closure scheme applied to regional climate modeling. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 57, 641–650. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Yiqun, Qian Yongfu, Q. J. Gui, and G. Yu, 2002: Effects of initial/lateral boundary conditions on regional climate simulations. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 26, 794–806. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Weizhong, and Qian Yongfu, 1999: Improvement on computing the horizontal pressure gradient force in the RegCM2. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 13, 304–315. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ding, Y., Shi, X., Liu, Y. et al. Multi-year simulations and experimental seasonal predictions for rainy seasons in China by using a nested regional climate model (RegCM_NCC). Part I: Sensitivity study. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 23, 323–341 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0323-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0323-8

Key words

Navigation