scholarly journals Disentangling the mechanisms of wave-convection coupling using idealized simulations in a tropical channel: wave composites of the moist static energy budget

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunju Jung ◽  
Peter Knippertz ◽  
Corinna Hoose ◽  
Yvonne Ruckstuhl ◽  
Robert Redl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Equatorial Waves ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Fourier Filtering ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Channel Configuration ◽  
Horizontal Grid

<p>Recent studies found that the coupling of equatorial waves to convection is key to improving weather forecasts in the tropics on the synoptic to the subseasonal timescale but many models struggle to realistically represent this coupling. To study the underlying mechanisms of convectively coupled equatorial waves, we use aquaplanet simulations with the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON) model in a tropical channel configuration with a horizontal grid spacing of 13 km and with a prescribed zonally symmetric, latitudinally varying sea surface temperature. We compare simulations with parameterized and explicit deep/shallow convection. Using wave identification tools that are based on Fourier filtering in time and space and on projections of dynamical fields on theoretical wave patterns, we observe a predominance of equator-symmetric equatorial waves such as Kelvin waves and slow large-scale variability resembling the Madden-Julian Oscillation.</p><p>To diagnose interactions between the equatorial waves and convection, we use a moist static energy (MSE) framework. A budget analysis for column integrated MSE shows that spatial anomalies of the net shortwave and longwave radiation and the surface enthalpy flux increase the spatial variance of the column MSE, while advection dampens variability. For wave-convection coupling we employ a wave composite technique for the terms of the MSE budget. Results from this analysis will be presented at the conference. The same filtering tools and diagnostics are applied to a realistic ICON simulation with a 2.5 km horizontal grid spacing from the DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non-hydrostatic Domains (DYAMOND) project.</p>

Disentangling the mechanisms of wave-convection coupling in the tropics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Hoose ◽  
Hyunju Jung ◽  
Peter Knippertz ◽  
Tijana Janjic ◽  
Yvonne Ruckstuhl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Equatorial Waves ◽  
Model Errors ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Horizontal Grid

<p><span><span>Tropical weather prediction remains one of the main challenges in atmospheric science due to a combination of insufficient observations, data assimilation algorithms optimized for midlatitudes and large model errors. Due to a strong dependency of many people in the tropics on rainfall variability, combined with a high vulnerability, improved precipitation forecasts have the potential to create substantial benefits in areas such as agriculture, water management, energy production and disease prevention.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Recent studies found that the coupling of equatorial waves to convection is key to improving weather forecasts in the tropics on the synoptic to subseasonal timescale but many models struggle to realistically represent this coupling. Here we use aquaplanet simulations with the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON) model with a 13 km horizontal grid spacing to study the underlying mechanisms of convectively coupled equatorial waves in an idealized framework. We filter the divergence at 200 hPa using a standard wave filtering tool tapering to zero that allows us to identify dynamical characteristics of convectively coupled waves in our simulations. To diagnose thermodynamical aspects of wave-convection couplings, we compare the obtained waves to the total precipitable water and analyze the spatial variance of the budget analysis for column-integrated moist static energy. The same filtering tool and diagnostics are carried out on a realistic ICON simulation with a 2.5 km horizontal grid spacing from the DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non-hydrostatic Domains (DYAMOND) project.</span></span></p><p><span><span>In the future we plan to run and analyze idealized tropical channel simulations with 2.5 km horizontal resolution, i.e. using the same grid spacing as in the DYAMOND simulation. The comparison between the idealized and the realistic simulations identifies mechanisms of wave-convection coupling. In addition, we will apply this set of diagnostics to forecast experiments using different approaches of data assimilation.</span></span></p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Impacts of Shallow Convection on MJO Simulation: A Moist Static Energy and Moisture Budget Analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2417-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiongqiong Cai ◽  
Guang J. Zhang ◽  
Tianjun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The role of shallow convection in Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) simulation is examined in terms of the moist static energy (MSE) and moisture budgets. Two experiments are carried out using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 3.0 (CAM3.0): a “CTL” run and an “NSC” run that is the same as the CTL except with shallow convection disabled below 700 hPa between 20°S and 20°N. Although the major features in the mean state of outgoing longwave radiation, 850-hPa winds, and vertical structure of specific humidity are reasonably reproduced in both simulations, moisture and clouds are more confined to the planetary boundary layer in the NSC run. While the CTL run gives a better simulation of the MJO life cycle when compared with the reanalysis data, the NSC shows a substantially weaker MJO signal. Both the reanalysis data and simulations show a recharge–discharge mechanism in the MSE evolution that is dominated by the moisture anomalies. However, in the NSC the development of MSE and moisture anomalies is weaker and confined to a shallow layer at the developing phases, which may prevent further development of deep convection. By conducting the budget analysis on both the MSE and moisture, it is found that the major biases in the NSC run are largely attributed to the vertical and horizontal advection. Without shallow convection, the lack of gradual deepening of upward motion during the developing stage of MJO prevents the lower troposphere above the boundary layer from being preconditioned for deep convection.

scholarly journals Comparison of Moist Static Energy and Budget between the GCM-Simulated Madden–Julian Oscillation and Observations over the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4981-4993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqing Wu ◽  
Liping Deng
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Horizontal Advection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The moist static energy (MSE) anomalies and MSE budget associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) simulated in the Iowa State University General Circulation Model (ISUGCM) over the Indian and Pacific Oceans are compared with observations. Different phase relationships between MJO 850-hPa zonal wind, precipitation, and surface latent heat flux are simulated over the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, which are greatly influenced by the convection closure, trigger conditions, and convective momentum transport (CMT). The moist static energy builds up from the lower troposphere 15–20 days before the peak of MJO precipitation, and reaches the maximum in the middle troposphere (500–600 hPa) near the peak of MJO precipitation. The gradual lower-tropospheric heating and moistening and the upward transport of moist static energy are important aspects of MJO events, which are documented in observational studies but poorly simulated in most GCMs. The trigger conditions for deep convection, obtained from the year-long cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations, contribute to the striking difference between ISUGCM simulations with the original and modified convection schemes and play the major role in the improved MJO simulation in ISUGCM. Additionally, the budget analysis with the ISUGCM simulations shows the increase in MJO MSE is in phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over the western Pacific, while out of phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over the Indian Ocean. However, the NCEP analysis shows that the tendency of MJO MSE is in phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over both oceans.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Moist Static Energy in a Simulated Tropical Cyclone

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Lijun Yu ◽  
Shuhui Wu ◽  
Zhanhong Ma
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Surface Heat ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Surface Heat Fluxes ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Radial Outflow

The characteristics of moist static energy (MSE) and its budget in a simulated tropical cyclone (TC) are examined in this study. Results demonstrate that MSE in a TC system is enhanced as the storm strengthens, primarily because of two mechanisms: upward transfer of surface heat fluxes and subsequent warming of the upper troposphere. An inspection of the interchangeable approximation between MSE and equivalent potential temperature (θe) suggests that although MSE is capable of capturing overall structures of θe, some important features will still be distorted, specifically the low-MSE pool outside the eyewall. In this low-MSE region, from the budget analysis, the discharge of MSE in the boundary layer may even surpass the recharge of MSE from the ocean. Unlike the volume-averaged MSE, the mass-weighted MSE in a fixed volume following the TC shows no apparent increase as the TC intensifies, because the atmosphere becomes continually thinner accompanying the warming of the storm. By calculating a mass-weighted volume MSE budget, the TC system is found to export MSE throughout its lifetime, since the radial outflow overwhelms the radial inflow. Moreover, the more intensified the TC is, the more export of MSE there tends to be. The input of MSE by surface heat fluxes is roughly balanced by the combined effects of radiation and lateral export, wherein a great majority of the imported MSE is reduced by radiation, while the export of MSE from the TC system to the environment accounts for only a small portion.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Vertical Distributions of Cloud Properties from Idealized Extratropical Deep Convection Simulations Using Various Horizontal Resolutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 833-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
J.-W. Bao ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Baode Chen
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Vertical Flux ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Static Energy

ABSTRACT The authors coarse-grained and analyzed the output from a large-eddy simulation (LES) of an idealized extratropical supercell storm using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with various horizontal resolutions (200 m, 400 m, 1 km, and 3 km). The coarse-grained physical properties of the simulated convection were compared with explicit WRF simulations of the same storm at the same resolution of coarse-graining. The differences between the explicit simulations and the coarse-grained LES output increased as the horizontal grid spacing in the explicit simulation coarsened. The vertical transport of the moist static energy and total hydrometeor mixing ratio in the explicit simulations converged to the LES solution at the 200-m grid spacing. Based on the analysis of the coarse-grained subgrid vertical flux of the moist static energy, the authors confirmed that the nondimensional subgrid vertical flux of the moist static energy varied with the subgrid fractional cloudiness according to a function of fractional cloudiness, regardless of the box size. The subgrid mass flux could not account for most of the total subgrid vertical flux of the moist static energy because the eddy-transport component associated with the internal structural inhomogeneity of convective clouds was of a comparable magnitude. This study highlights the ongoing challenge in developing scale-aware parameterizations of subgrid convection.

scholarly journals Dr. Yanai’s Contributions to the Discovery and Science of the MJO

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 4.1-4.18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Maloney ◽  
Chidong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Energy Budget ◽  
Momentum Transport ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Equatorial Waves ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Moist Static Energy Budget ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract This chapter reviews Professor Michio Yanai’s contributions to the discovery and science of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Professor Yanai’s work on equatorial waves played an inspirational role in the MJO discovery by Roland Madden and Paul Julian. Professor Yanai also made direct and important contributions to MJO research. These research contributions include work on the vertically integrated moist static energy budget, cumulus momentum transport, eddy available potential energy and eddy kinetic energy budgets, and tropical–extratropical interactions. Finally, Professor Yanai left a legacy through his students, who continue to push the bounds of MJO research.

A Moist Static Energy Budget Analysis of Quasi-2-Day Waves Using Satellite and Reanalysis Data

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 743-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukari Sumi ◽  
Hirohiko Masunaga
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Convective Heating ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Wave Dynamics ◽  
Vertical Advection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Thermodynamic Processes

Abstract A moist static energy (MSE) budget analysis is applied to quasi-2-day waves to examine the effects of thermodynamic processes on the wave propagation mechanism. The 2-day waves are defined as westward inertia–gravity (WIG) modes identified with filtered geostationary infrared measurements, and the thermodynamic parameters and MSE budget variables computed from reanalysis data are composited with respect to the WIG peaks. The composite horizontal and vertical MSE structures are overall as theoretically expected from WIG wave dynamics. A prominent horizontal MSE advection is found to exist, although the wave dynamics is mainly regulated by vertical advection. The vertical advection decreases MSE around the times of the convective peak, plausibly resulting from the first baroclinic mode associated with deep convection. Normalized gross moist stability (NGMS) is used to examine the thermodynamic processes involving the large-scale dynamics and convective heating. NGMS gradually decreases to zero before deep convection and reaches a maximum after the convection peak, where low (high) NGMS leads (lags) deep convection. The decrease in NGMS toward zero before the occurrence of active convection suggests an increasingly efficient conversion from convective heating to large-scale dynamics as the wave comes in, while the increase afterward signifies that this linkage swiftly dies out after the peak.

scholarly journals Simple Estimates of Polar Amplification in Moist Diffusive Energy Balance Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (15) ◽  
pp. 5811-5824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Merlis ◽  
Matthew Henry
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Thermodynamic Quantity ◽  
Solar Radiation Management ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Polar Amplification ◽  
Energy Balance Models ◽  
Static Energy

Diffusive energy balance models (EBMs) that use moist static energy, rather than temperature, as the thermodynamic variable to determine the energy transport provide an idealized framework to understand the pattern of radiatively forced surface warming. These models have a polar amplified warming pattern that is quantitatively similar to general circulation model simulations. Even without surface albedo changes or other spatially varying feedbacks, they simulate polar amplification that results from increased poleward energy transport with warming. Here, two estimates for polar amplification are presented that do not require numerical solution of the EBM governing equation. They are evaluated relative to the results of numerical moist EBM solutions. One estimate considers only changes in a moist thermodynamic quantity (assuming that the increase in energy transport results in a spatially uniform change in moist static energy in the warmed climate) and has more polar amplification than the EBM solution. The other estimate uses a new solution of a truncated form of the moist EBM equation, which allows for a temperature change that is consistent with both the dry and latent energy transport changes, as well as radiative changes. The truncated EBM solution provides an estimate for polar amplification that is nearly identical to that of the numerical EBM solution and only depends on the EBM parameters and climatology of temperature. This solution sheds light on the dependence of polar amplification on the climatological temperature distribution and offers an estimate of the residual polar warming in solar radiation management geoengineered climates.

GEOS-MITgcm coupled atmosphere-ocean simulation for DYAMOND

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Strobach ◽  
Andrea Molod ◽  
Atanas Trayanov ◽  
William Putman ◽  
Dimitris Menemenlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Horizontal Grid ◽  
Ocean Simulation

<p>During the past few years, the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) groups have produced, respectively, global atmosphere-only and ocean-only simulations with km-scale grid spacing. These simulations have proved invaluable for process studies and the development of satellite and in-situ sampling strategies. Nevertheless, a key limitation of these simulations is the lack of feedback between the ocean and the atmosphere, limiting their usefulness for studying air-sea interactions and designing observing missions to study these interactions. To remove this limitation, we have coupled the km-scale GEOS atmospheric model with the km-scale MITgcm ocean model. We will present preliminary results from the GEOS-MITgcm contribution to the second phase of the DYAMOND (DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non-hydrostatic Domains) initiative.</p><p>The coupled atmosphere-ocean simulation was integrated using a cubed-sphere-1440 (~6-7 km horizontal grid spacing) configuration of GEOS and a lat-lon-cap-2160 (2–5-km horizontal grid spacing) configuration of MITgcm. We will show results from a preliminary analysis of air-sea interactions between Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and surface winds. In particular, we will discuss non-local atmospheric overturning circulation formed above the Gulf Stream SST front with characteristic sub-mesoscale width. This formation of a secondary circulation above the front suggests that capturing such air-sea interaction phenomena requires high-resolution capabilities in both the models' oceanic and atmospheric components.</p>

scholarly journals Energetic Constraints on the Width of the Intertropical Convergence Zone

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 4709-4721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Byrne ◽  
Tapio Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Hadley Circulation ◽  
Intertropical Convergence Zone ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Convergence Zone ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gross Moist Stability ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) has been the focus of considerable research in recent years, with much of this work concerned with how the latitude of maximum tropical precipitation responds to natural climate variability and to radiative forcing. The width of the ITCZ, however, has received little attention despite its importance for regional climate and for understanding the general circulation of the atmosphere. This paper investigates the ITCZ width in simulations with an idealized general circulation model over a wide range of climates. The ITCZ, defined as the tropical region where there is time-mean ascent, displays rich behavior as the climate varies, widening with warming in cool climates, narrowing in temperate climates, and maintaining a relatively constant width in hot climates. The mass and energy budgets of the Hadley circulation are used to derive expressions for the area of the ITCZ relative to the area of the neighboring descent region, and for the sensitivity of the ITCZ area to changes in climate. The ITCZ width depends primarily on four quantities: the net energy input to the tropical atmosphere, the advection of moist static energy by the Hadley circulation, the transport of moist static energy by transient eddies, and the gross moist stability. Different processes are important for the ITCZ width in different climates, with changes in gross moist stability generally having a weak influence relative to the other processes. The results are likely to be useful for analyzing the ITCZ width in complex climate models and for understanding past and future climate change in the tropics.

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