scholarly journals Secondary Ice Formation in Idealised Deep Convection—Source of Primary Ice and Impact on Glaciation

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 542
Author(s):  
Annette K. Miltenberger ◽  
Tim Lüttmer ◽  
Christoph Siewert
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Lagrangian Analysis ◽  
Vertical Coupling ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Ice Production

Secondary ice production via rime-splintering is considered to be an important process for rapid glaciation and high ice crystal numbers observed in mixed-phase convective clouds. An open question is how rime-splintering is triggered in the relatively short time between cloud formation and observations of high ice crystal numbers. We use idealised simulations of a deep convective cloud system to investigate the thermodynamic and cloud microphysical evolution of air parcels, in which the model predicts secondary ice formation. The Lagrangian analysis suggests that the “in-situ” formation of rimers either by growth of primary ice or rain freezing does not play a major role in triggering secondary ice formation. Instead, rimers are predominantly imported into air parcels through sedimentation form higher altitudes. While ice nucleating particles (INPs) initiating heterogeneous freezing of cloud droplets at temperatures warmer than −10 °C have no discernible impact of the occurrence of secondary ice formation, in a scenario with rain freezing secondary ice production is initiated slightly earlier in the cloud evolution and at slightly different places, although with no major impact on the abundance or spatial distribution of secondary ice in the cloud as a whole. These results suggest that for interpreting and analysing observational data and model experiments regarding cloud glaciation and ice formation it is vital to consider the complex vertical coupling of cloud microphysical processes in deep convective clouds via three-dimensional transport and sedimentation.

scholarly journals Aerosol-cloud interactions: The representation of heterogeneous ice activation in cloud models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Kärcher ◽  
Claudia Marcolli
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Water Phase ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Nucleation Behavior ◽  
Aerosol Cloud ◽  
Cloud Models ◽  
Aerosol Cloud Interactions

Abstract. The homogeneous nucleation of ice in supercooled liquid water clouds is characterized by time-dependent freezing rates. By contrast, water phase transitions induced heterogeneously by ice nucleating particles (INPs) are described by time-independent ice-active fractions depending on ice supersaturation (s). Laboratory studies report ice-active particle number fractions (AFs) that are cumulative in s. Cloud models budget INP and ice crystal numbers to conserve total particle number during water phase transitions. Here, we show that ice formation from INPs with time-independent nucleation behavior is overpredicted when models budget particle numbers and at the same time derive ice crystal numbers from s-cumulative AFs. This causes a bias towards heterogeneous ice formation in situations where INPs compete with homogeneous droplet freezing during cloud formation. We resolve this issue by introducing differential AFs, moving us one step closer to more robust simulations of aerosol-cloud interactions.

Transient Environmental Sensitivities of Explicitly Simulated Tropical Convection

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 923-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan N. Tulich ◽  
Brian E. Mapes
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Model Response ◽  
Effective Inhibition ◽  
Cloud Resolving Model ◽  
Response Enhancement ◽  
Vertical Displacements ◽  
Nonlocal Part ◽  
Homogeneous Temperature

Abstract A three-dimensional cloud-resolving model, maintained in a statistically steady convecting state by tropics-like forcing, is subjected to sudden (10 min) stimuli consisting of horizontally homogeneous temperature and/or moisture sources with various profiles. Ensembles of simulations are used to increase the statistical robustness of the results and to assess the deterministic nature of the model response for domain sizes near contemporary global model resolution. The response to middle- and upper-tropospheric perturbations is predominantly local in the vertical: convection damps the imposed stimulus over a few hours. Low-level perturbations are similarly damped, but also produce a vertically nonlocal response: enhancement or suppression of new deep convective clouds extending above the perturbed level. Experiments show that the “effective inhibition layer” for deep convection is about 4 km deep, far deeper than traditional convective inhibition defined for undilute lifted parcels. Both the local and nonlocal responses are remarkably linear but can be highly stochastic, especially if deep convection is only intermittently present (small domains, weak forcing). Quantitatively, temperature-versus-moisture perturbations in a ratio corresponding to adiabatic vertical displacements produce responses of roughly equal magnitude. However, moisture perturbations seem to provoke the nonlocal (upward spreading) type of response more effectively. This nonlocal part of the response is also more effective when background forcing intensity is weak. Only at very high intensity does the response approach the limits of purely local damping and pure determinism that would be most convenient for theory and parameterization.

scholarly journals Strong sensitivity of aerosol concentrations to convective wet scavenging parameterizations in a global model

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1687-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Croft ◽  
J. R. Pierce ◽  
R. V. Martin ◽  
C. Hoose ◽  
U. Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Cloud Droplets ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Wet Scavenging ◽  
Limiting Case ◽  
Precipitation Formation

Abstract. This study examines the influences of assumptions in convective wet scavenging parameterizations on global climate model simulations of aerosol concentrations and wet deposition. To facilitate this study, an explicit representation of the uptake of aerosol mass and number into convective cloud droplets and ice crystals by the processes of activation, collisions, freezing and evaporation is introduced into the ECHAM5-HAM model. This development replaces the prescribed aerosol cloud-droplet-borne/ice-crystal-borne fractions of the standard model. Relative to the standard model, the more consistent treatment between convective aerosol-cloud microphysical processes yields a reduction of aerosol wet removal in mixed liquid and ice phase convective clouds by at least a factor of two, and the global, annual mean aerosol burdens are increased by at least 20%. Two limiting cases regarding the wet scavenging of entrained aerosols are considered. In the first case, aerosols entering convective clouds at their bases are the only aerosols that are scavenged into cloud droplets, and are susceptible to removal by convective precipitation formation. In the second case, aerosols that are entrained into the cloud above the cloud base layer can activate, can collide with existing cloud droplets and ice crystals, and can subsequently be removed by precipitation formation. The limiting case that allows aerosols entrained above cloud base to become cloud-droplet-borne and ice-crystal-borne reduces the annual and global mean aerosol burdens by 30% relative to the other limiting case, and yields the closest agreement with global aerosol optical depth retrievals, and black carbon vertical profiles from aircraft campaigns (changes of about one order of magntiude in the upper troposphere). Predicted convective cloud droplet number concentrations are doubled in the tropical middle troposphere when aerosols entrained above cloud base are allowed to activate. These results show that aerosol concentrations and wet deposition predicted in a global model are strongly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding the wet scavenging of aerosols in convective clouds.

An Evaluation of the Proposed Mechanism of the Adaptive Infrared Iris Hypothesis Using TRMM VIRS and PR Measurements

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 4185-4194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita D. Rapp ◽  
Christian Kummerow ◽  
Wesley Berg ◽  
Brian Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Cloud Amount ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Surface Rainfall

Abstract Significant controversy surrounds the adaptive infrared iris hypothesis put forth by Lindzen et al., whereby tropical anvil cirrus detrainment is hypothesized to decrease with increasing sea surface temperature (SST). This dependence would act as an iris, allowing more infrared radiation to escape into space and inhibiting changes in the surface temperature. This hypothesis assumes that increased precipitation efficiency in regions of higher sea surface temperatures will reduce cirrus detrainment. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite measurements are used here to investigate the adaptive infrared iris hypothesis. Pixel-level Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) 10.8-μm brightness temperature data and precipitation radar (PR) rain-rate data from TRMM are collocated and matched to determine individual convective cloud boundaries. Each cloudy pixel is then matched to the underlying SST. This study examines single- and multicore convective clouds separately to directly determine if a relationship exists between the size of convective clouds, their precipitation, and the underlying SSTs. In doing so, this study addresses some of the criticisms of the Lindzen et al. study by eliminating their more controversial method of relating bulk changes of cloud amount and SST across a large domain in the Tropics. The current analysis does not show any significant SST dependence of the ratio of cloud area to surface rainfall for deep convection in the tropical western and central Pacific. Results do, however, suggest that SST plays an important role in the ratio of cloud area and surface rainfall for warm rain processes. For clouds with brightness temperatures between 270 and 280 K, a net decrease in cloud area normalized by rainfall of 5% per degree SST was found.

scholarly journals Aerosol–cloud interactions: the representation of heterogeneous ice activation in cloud models

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 15213-15220
Author(s):  
Bernd Kärcher ◽  
Claudia Marcolli
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Water Phase ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Nucleation Behavior ◽  
Aerosol Cloud ◽  
Cloud Models ◽  
Aerosol Cloud Interactions

Abstract. The homogeneous nucleation of ice in supercooled liquid-water clouds is characterized by time-dependent freezing rates. By contrast, water phase transitions induced heterogeneously by ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are described by time-independent ice-active fractions depending on ice supersaturation (s). Laboratory studies report ice-active particle number fractions (AFs) that are cumulative in s. Cloud models budget INP and ice crystal numbers to conserve total particle number during water phase transitions. Here, we show that ice formation from INPs with time-independent nucleation behavior is overpredicted when models budget particle numbers and at the same time derive ice crystal numbers from s-cumulative AFs. This causes a bias towards heterogeneous ice formation in situations where INPs compete with homogeneous droplet freezing during cloud formation. We resolve this issue by introducing differential AFs, thereby moving us one step closer to more robust simulations of aerosol–cloud interactions.

scholarly journals Parameterizing the competition between homogeneous and heterogeneous freezing in cirrus cloud formation – monodisperse ice nuclei

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 15665-15698 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Barahona ◽  
A. Nenes
Keyword(s):  
Number Concentration ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Average Error ◽  
Cirrus Cloud ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Homogeneous Freezing ◽  
Nuclei Number

Abstract. We present a parameterization of cirrus cloud formation that computes the ice crystal number and size distribution under the presence of homogeneous and heterogeneous freezing. The parameterization is very simple to apply and is derived from the analytical solution of the cloud parcel equations, assuming that the ice nuclei population is monodisperse and chemically homogeneous. In addition to the ice distribution, an analytical expression is provided for the limiting ice nuclei number concentration that suppresses ice formation from homogeneous freezing. The parameterization is evaluated against a detailed numerical parcel model, and reproduces numerical simulations over a wide range of conditions with an average error of 6±33%.

scholarly journals 3-D model simulations of dynamical and microphysical interactions in pyro-convective clouds under idealized conditions

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 19527-19557 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Reutter ◽  
J. Trentmann ◽  
A. Seifert ◽  
P. Neis ◽  
H. Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Aerosol Concentration ◽  
Activation Process ◽  
Cloud Droplets ◽  
Convective Clouds

Abstract. Pyro-convective clouds, i.e. convective clouds forming over wildland fires due to high sensible heat, play an important role for the transport of aerosol particles and trace gases into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Additionally, due to the emission of a large number of aerosol particles from forest fires, the microphysical structure of a pyro-convective cloud is clearly different from that of ordinary convective clouds. A crucial step in the microphysical evolution of a (pyro-) convective cloud is the activation of aerosol particles to form cloud droplets. The activation process affects the initial number and size of cloud droplets and can thus influence the evolution of the convective cloud and the formation of precipitation. Building upon a realistic parameterization of CCN activation, the model ATHAM is used to investigate the dynamical and microphysical processes of idealized three-dimensional pyro-convective clouds in mid-latitudes. A state-of-the-art two-moment microphysical scheme has been implemented in order to study the influence of the aerosol concentration on the cloud development. The results show that the aerosol concentration influences the formation of precipitation. For low aerosol concentrations (NCN=1000 cm−3), rain droplets are rapidly formed by autoconversion of cloud droplets. This also triggers the formation of large graupel and hail particles resulting in an early and strong onset of precipitation. With increasing aerosol concentration (NCN=20 000 cm−3 and NCN=60 000 cm−3) the formation of rain droplets is delayed due to more but smaller cloud droplets. Therefore, the formation of ice crystals and snowflakes becomes more important for the eventual formation of graupel and hail. However, this causes a delay of the onset of precipitation and its intensity for increasing aerosol concentration. This work shows the first detailed investigation of the interaction between cloud microphysics and dynamics of a pyro-convective cloud using the combination of a high resolution atmospheric model and a detailed microphysical scheme.

scholarly journals Contact freezing: a review

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 7811-7869 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Ladino ◽  
O. Stetzer ◽  
U. Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Experimental Information ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Ice Cloud ◽  
Quantitative Calculation ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Immersion Freezing ◽  
Reported Data

Abstract. This manuscript compiles both theoretical and experimental information on contact freezing with the aim to better understand this potentially important but still not well quantified heterogeneous freezing mode. There is no complete theory that describes contact freezing and how the energy barrier has to be overcome to nucleate an ice crystal by contact freezing. Experiments on contact freezing indicate that it can initiate ice formation at the highest temperatures. A difference in the freezing temperatures between contact and immersion freezing has been found using different instrumentation and different ice nuclei. There is a lack of data on collision rates in most of the reported data, which inhibits a quantitative calculation of the freezing efficiencies. Thus, new or modified instrumentation to study this heterogeneous freezing mode in the laboratory and in the field are needed. Important questions concerning contact freezing and its potential role for ice cloud formation and climate are also summarized.

Cloud-Resolving Model Applied to Nowcasting: An Evaluation of Radar Data Assimilation and Microphysics Parameterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 2345-2365
Author(s):  
Eder P. Vendrasco ◽  
Luiz A. T. Machado ◽  
Bruno Z. Ribeiro ◽  
Edmilson D. Freitas ◽  
Rute C. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Cloud Resolving Model ◽  
Cycling Frequency ◽  
Radar Data Assimilation

AbstractThis research explores the benefits of radar data assimilation for short-range weather forecasts in southeastern Brazil using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model’s three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) system. Different data assimilation options are explored, including the cycling frequency, the number of outer loops, and the use of null-echo assimilation. Initially, four microphysics parameterizations are evaluated (Thompson, Morrison, WSM6, and WDM6). The Thompson parameterization produces the best results, while the other parameterizations generally overestimate the precipitation forecast, especially WDSM6. Additionally, the Thompson scheme tends to overestimate snow, while the Morrison scheme overestimates graupel. Regarding the data assimilation options, the results deteriorate and more spurious convection occurs when using a higher cycling frequency (i.e., 30 min instead of 60 min). The use of two outer loops produces worse precipitation forecasts than the use of one outer loop, and the null-echo assimilation is shown to be an effective way to suppress spurious convection. However, in some cases, the null-echo assimilation also removes convective clouds that are not observed by the radar and/or are still not producing rain, but have the potential to grow into an intense convective cloud with heavy rainfall. Finally, a cloud convective mask was implemented using ancillary satellite data to prevent null-echo assimilation from removing potential convective clouds. The mask was demonstrated to be beneficial in some circumstances, but it needs to be carefully evaluated in more cases to have a more robust conclusion regarding its use.

scholarly journals Comparing calculated microphysical properties of tropical convective clouds at cloud base with measurements during the ACRIDICON-CHUVA campaign

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon Campos Braga ◽  
Daniel Rosenfeld ◽  
Ralf Weigel ◽  
Tina Jurkat ◽  
Meinrat O. Andreae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Cloud Drop ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Vertical Evolution ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. Reliable aircraft measurements of cloud microphysical properties are essential for understanding liquid convective cloud formation. In September 2014, the properties of convective clouds were measured with a Cloud Combination Probe (CCP), a Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS-DPOL), and a cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) counter on board the HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft) aircraft during the ACRIDICON-CHUVA campaign over the Amazon region. An intercomparison of the cloud drop size distributions (DSDs) and the cloud water content derived from the different instruments generally shows good agreement within the instrumental uncertainties. The objective of this study is to validate several parameterizations for liquid cloud formation in tropical convection. To this end the directly measured cloud drop concentrations (Nd) near cloud base were compared with inferred values based on the measured cloud base updraft velocity (Wb) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) vs. supersaturation (S) spectra. The measurements of Nd at cloud base were also compared with drop concentrations (Na) derived on the basis of an adiabatic assumption and obtained from the vertical evolution of cloud drop effective radius (re) above cloud base. The results demonstrate agreement of the measured and theoretically expected values of Nd based on CCN, S, Wb at cloud base, and the height profile of re. The measurements of NCCN(S) and Wb did reproduce the observed Nd. Furthermore, the vertical evolution of re with height reproduced the observation-based nearly adiabatic cloud base drop concentrations, Na. Achieving such good agreement is possible only with accurate measurements of DSDs. This agreement supports the validity of the applied parameterizations for continental convective cloud evolution, which now can be used more confidently in simulations and satellite retrievals.

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