Cloud microphysics modification with an online coupled COSMO-MUSCAT regional model

Abstract:

Abstract:

The quantification of clouds, aerosols, and aerosol-cloud interactions in models, continues to be a challenge (IPCC, 2013). In this scenario two-moment bulk microphysical scheme is used to understand the aerosol-cloud interactions in the regional model COSMO (Consortium for Small Scale Modeling). The two-moment scheme in COSMO has been especially designed to represent aerosol effects on the microphysics of mixed-phase clouds (Seifert et al., 2006). To improve the model predictability, the radiation scheme has been coupled with two-moment microphysical scheme. Further, the cloud microphysics parameterization has been modified via coupling COSMO with MUSCAT (MultiScale Chemistry Aerosol Transport model, Wolke et al., 2004). In this study, we will be discussing the initial result from the online-coupled COSMO-MUSCAT model system with modified two-moment parameterization scheme along with COSP (CFMIP Observational Simulator Package) satellite simulator. This online coupled model system aims to improve the sub-grid scale process in the regional weather prediction scenario. The constant aerosol concentration used in the Seifert and Beheng, (2006) parameterizations in COSMO model has been replaced by aerosol concentration derived from MUSCAT model. The cloud microphysical process from the modified two-moment scheme is compared with stand-alone COSMO model. To validate the robustness of the model simulation, the coupled model system is integrated with COSP satellite simulator (Muhlbauer et al., 2012). Further, the simulations are compared with MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) satellite products.