Gaps and Limitations in Atmospheric Modeling of the Water Cycle

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Gaps and Limitations in Atmospheric Modeling of the Water Cycle Minghua Zhang Stony Brook University, SUNY

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Gaps and Limitations in Atmospheric Modeling of the Water Cycle. Minghua Zhang Stony Brook University, SUNY. The Scales. The Dynamics. (Williamson 2006) . ( Nastrom and Gage 1985) . SMET. CAM4. Rainfall Frequency at ARM TWP. 12 UTC July 23, 2002. 21 UTC July 23, 2002. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Gaps and Limitations in Atmospheric Modeling of the Water Cycle

Page 1: Gaps  and  Limitations  in  Atmospheric Modeling  of the  Water Cycle

Gaps and Limitations in Atmospheric

Modeling of the Water Cycle

Minghua Zhang

Stony Brook University, SUNY

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1. The Scales

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The Dynamics

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(Williamson 2006) (Nastrom and Gage 1985)

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SMET CAM4

Rainfall Frequency at ARM TWP

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(Lombardo et al. 2012)

12 UTC July 23, 2002 21 UTC July 23, 2002

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Radar WRF (2km)

(Lombardo et al. 2012)

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(Lombardo et al. 2012)

Precipitation mixing ratio

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1. The range of spatial and time scales of precipitation

far exceeds what current models can describe.

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Two possible approaches:

Parameterization: unproven, and unlikely succeed

High resolution: how high?

Yet, features at these scales are important to the water

cycle.

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2. The Processes

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00 UTC December 14, 2001

(Colle et al 2008)

WRF (24 hr)NCEP

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SUNYSBMicrophysics

ThompsonMicrophysics

Mixing Ratio ofCloud liquidCloud IcePrecipitation

(Colle et al 2008)

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2. Some of the key processes are still not

characterized.

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The requirements:

More comprehensive observations

Knowledge on the asymptote of these processes

Yet, these processes are important to the water

cycle.