Philip H. Austin

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Intercomparison and interpretation of single column model simulations of a nocturnal stratocumulus topped marine boundary layer.

Zhu, P., C. S. Bretherton, M. Koehler, A. Cheng, A. Chlond, Q. Geng, P. H. Austin, J.-C. Golaz, G. Lenderink, A. Lock and B. Stevens
Monthly Weather Review , 2005, 133, 2741-2758

Abstract


Ten single column models (SCMs) from eight groups are used to simulate a nocturnal non-precipitating marine stratocumulus-topped mixed layer as part of an intercomparison organized by Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Cloud System Study, Working Group 1. The case is idealized from observations from Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus II, Research Flight 1. SCM simulations with operational resolution are supplemented by high resolution simulations and compared with observations and large-eddy simulations. All participating SCMs are able to maintain a mixed cloud-topped layer with some degree of decoupling and a sharp inversion, and produce entrainment rates broadly consistent with observations, but the liquid water paths vary by a factor of 10 after only one hour of simulation at both high and operational resolution. Sensitivity tests show insensitivity to activation of precipitation and shallow convection schemes in most models, as one would observationally expect for this case.

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