Work

Improvement of riming process parameterization in the WRF model and its advantages in simulating precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is characterized by frequent mixed-phase clouds, in which riming exerts a crucial control on precipitation formation. However, conventional bulk microphysics schemes generally ignore the regulatory impact of sub-grid liquid-ice mixing state on riming processes. This study improves the riming parameterization within the WRF Morrison scheme by adopting constant reduction coefficients and introducing a diagnostic mixing homogeneity parameter χ for snow and graupel, which varies with condensed water content and temperature. Reduced riming coefficients correct simulated precipitation distribution and spatial deviation, while χ -based dynamic regulation further optimizes temporal variation of regional precipitation, reducing RMSE by 23.8%. The modified scheme shows superior performance across all rainfall grades, particularly for heavy and torrential rain. Physically, χ inhibits excessive riming, maintains supercooled liquid droplets, and effectively alleviates the overestimation of surface precipitation. One-month simulations validate that considering liquid-ice mixing homogeneity markedly improves WRF precipitation simulation capability over the TP.

Source: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

DOI: 10.1038/s41612-026-01510-9