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| Titel |
A proposal for representing large-scale processes in cloud simulations |
| VerfasserIn |
Tapio Schneider, Zhihong Tan, João Teixeira, Kyle Pressel |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2013
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 15 (2013) |
| Datensatznummer |
250076447
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Large-eddy simulations and other cloud-resolving simulations can only be expected to deliver climatically relevant answers to the question of how clouds change with climate to the extent that the large-scale processes driving such simulations are represented in a physically realistic manner. In particular, this means that for simulations of clouds in statistically steady states, it is desirable that the large-scale processes satisfy steady-state energy and moisture balances. The surface energy balance, for example, is crucial for how the near-surface relative humidity responds to climate changes; it is generally not satisfied in simulations that, as is commonly done, prescribe surface temperatures and/or surface fluxes. Here we present a framework for forcing simulations of low-latitude clouds with large-scale processes that respect such large-scale balances. Radiative energy fluxes are modeled explicitly, albeit in an idealized manner, surface and top-of-atmosphere energy balances are satisfied in climatically relevant ways, and large-scale eddy fluxes of sensible heat and moisture are represented parametrically. We argue that such a representation of large-scale processes is necessary to obtain realistic responses of clouds to climate changes and show preliminary results of large-eddy simulations of subtropical low clouds. |
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