Work

Examining the Impacts of Assimilating Vertically Integrated Ice in WRF Simulations of Two Nocturnal Mesoscale Convective Systems

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: To better understand nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) dynamics, a novel data assimilation (DA) method has been developed and applied to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model for two Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) MCS cases. This method is similar to the lightning DA (LDA) technique discussed in Fierro et al. (2012), https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr‐d‐11‐00299.1 , wherein lightning data is used to nudge a column toward saturation by increasing water vapor mixing ratio. For the present study, vertically integrated ice (VII) is used in lieu of lightning to introduce virtual thermal buoyancy in the updraft column. Since VII is indicative of deep convective updrafts, VII DA should introduce buoyant updrafts before the appearance of lightning while also decreasing errors in timing and location of convection initiation. This study demonstrates the skill of the VII method compared to both a control simulation and a LDA simulation.

Source: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres

DOI: 10.1029/2024jd041242

Authors: R. L. Miller, M. C. Coniglio, E. R. Mansell, C. L. Ziegler

Institutions: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, University of Oklahoma

Language: English

Topic: Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,880