Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM

Abstract To improve the representation of microphysical processes in convective clouds and their interaction with aerosol and stratiform clouds, a two‐moment convective microphysics parameterization (CMP) scheme developed by Song and Zhang (2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010jd014833) is upgraded and...

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Main Authors: Xiaoliang Song, Guang J. Zhang, Chris Terai, Shaocheng Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024MS004656
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author Xiaoliang Song
Guang J. Zhang
Chris Terai
Shaocheng Xie
author_facet Xiaoliang Song
Guang J. Zhang
Chris Terai
Shaocheng Xie
author_sort Xiaoliang Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To improve the representation of microphysical processes in convective clouds and their interaction with aerosol and stratiform clouds, a two‐moment convective microphysics parameterization (CMP) scheme developed by Song and Zhang (2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010jd014833) is upgraded and implemented in E3SM. The new developments include: (a) implementing a parameterization for graupel to enhance the representation of ice‐phase microphysical processes; (b) representing the impact of spatial inhomogeneity of cloud droplets in cumulus ensembles on autoconversion and accretion processes to improve the representation of warm‐rain microphysical processes; (c) implementing a comprehensive Bergeron process parameterization to better represent mixed‐phase microphysical processes; and (d) representing the interactions between ice‐phase microphysics and cloud thermodynamics. Simulations show that the cloud microphysical properties simulated by the CMP are generally in good agreement with observations. It reasonably simulates the changes in droplets effective radius related to precipitation formation in convective clouds, as identified from satellite observations. It also successfully simulates the contrast in these processes between maritime and continental clouds, demonstrating its capability to simulate the impact of aerosols on convection. Analyses of the impact of CMP on climate mean state simulation demonstrate that the CMP slightly improves the simulations of precipitation, cloud macrophysical properties, longwave cloud radiative forcing, zonal wind, and temperature. However, a degradation in shortwave cloud radiative forcing occurs.
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publisher American Geophysical Union (AGU)
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spelling doaj-art-17bd217955d940abb834a8fd1f67b5ba2025-08-20T03:47:57ZengAmerican Geophysical Union (AGU)Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems1942-24662025-05-01175n/an/a10.1029/2024MS004656Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SMXiaoliang Song0Guang J. Zhang1Chris Terai2Shaocheng Xie3Scripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla CA USAScripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla CA USALawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA USALawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA USAAbstract To improve the representation of microphysical processes in convective clouds and their interaction with aerosol and stratiform clouds, a two‐moment convective microphysics parameterization (CMP) scheme developed by Song and Zhang (2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010jd014833) is upgraded and implemented in E3SM. The new developments include: (a) implementing a parameterization for graupel to enhance the representation of ice‐phase microphysical processes; (b) representing the impact of spatial inhomogeneity of cloud droplets in cumulus ensembles on autoconversion and accretion processes to improve the representation of warm‐rain microphysical processes; (c) implementing a comprehensive Bergeron process parameterization to better represent mixed‐phase microphysical processes; and (d) representing the interactions between ice‐phase microphysics and cloud thermodynamics. Simulations show that the cloud microphysical properties simulated by the CMP are generally in good agreement with observations. It reasonably simulates the changes in droplets effective radius related to precipitation formation in convective clouds, as identified from satellite observations. It also successfully simulates the contrast in these processes between maritime and continental clouds, demonstrating its capability to simulate the impact of aerosols on convection. Analyses of the impact of CMP on climate mean state simulation demonstrate that the CMP slightly improves the simulations of precipitation, cloud macrophysical properties, longwave cloud radiative forcing, zonal wind, and temperature. However, a degradation in shortwave cloud radiative forcing occurs.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024MS004656convective microphysics parameterizationGCMclimate simulation
spellingShingle Xiaoliang Song
Guang J. Zhang
Chris Terai
Shaocheng Xie
Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems
convective microphysics parameterization
GCM
climate simulation
title Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
title_full Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
title_fullStr Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
title_short Enhanced Convective Microphysics Scheme and Its Impacts on Mean Climate in E3SM
title_sort enhanced convective microphysics scheme and its impacts on mean climate in e3sm
topic convective microphysics parameterization
GCM
climate simulation
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024MS004656
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoliangsong enhancedconvectivemicrophysicsschemeanditsimpactsonmeanclimateine3sm
AT guangjzhang enhancedconvectivemicrophysicsschemeanditsimpactsonmeanclimateine3sm
AT christerai enhancedconvectivemicrophysicsschemeanditsimpactsonmeanclimateine3sm
AT shaochengxie enhancedconvectivemicrophysicsschemeanditsimpactsonmeanclimateine3sm