Dynamically computed characteristic adjustment time scale for Zhang–McFarlane convective parameterization scheme

Abstract

AbstractCharacteristic adjustment time scale τ is an important parameter in convective parameterization scheme. In this paper, we propose a dynamic calculation formula of τ in the Zhang–McFarlane scheme based on convective available potential energy (CAPE) in order to improve the simulation of precipitation. The performance of using the new formula is tested and evaluated using the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) for numerical experiments. The results indicate that the root mean square errors of mean precipitation amount over the Northern Hemisphere eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the central Indo-Pacific Warm Pool, the Tibetan Plateau, and northern South America are reduced by 20.15, 16.40, 12.56, and 6.45% in summer, respectively, after a dynamic τ is adopted. The dynamically computed τ improves the Pacific Walker circulation by strengthening the western ascending and eastern descending, and increases the intensity of deep convective precipitation in tropical areas by at least 1 mm/day. Dynamic τ also increases the frequency of large deep convective precipitation in the equatorial Pacific by almost 50%, and decreases the frequency of light deep convective precipitation in many other regions. The dynamic τ has positive effects in the areas with large CAPE and spatiotemporal variability, and also leads to an increase in deep convective precipitation and a significant decrease in large-scale precipitation over high-altitude regions of windward slopes. Therefore, the generation of exaggerated precipitation in the highlands is reduced in the CAM5. Overall, the dynamic calculation of characteristic adjustment time scale can improve precipitation simulation.