A Parameterization for the Triggering of Landscape-Generated Moist Convection. Part II: Zero-Order and First-Order Closure

Abstract

To improve the triggering of clouds over landscape heterogeneity, it is suggested that the forcing by mesoscale circulations generated by landscape patches be included. For this purpose, it is suggested that a relatively simple zero-order closure be used to obtain a triggering parcel?s mesoscale perturbation vertical velocity, potential temperature, and specific humidity. In combination with a turbulent fluctuation averaged over a parcel area, one can obtain a parcel?s (total) velocity, temperature, and moisture. The authors used similarity theory to parameterize the mesoscale perturbations, using a dataset generated by a three-dimensional, high-resolution cumulus ensemble model with west-to-east land surface patches. Alternatively, the authors used one-dimensional budget equations that contain mesoscale and turbulent fluctuations (and source terms) to obtain the vertical profile of potential temperature and specific humidity within a triggering parcel. Here, it is suggested that first-order closure be used; these equations with first-order closure should provide more realistic profiles of temperature and moisture within a triggering parcel than with the zero-order scheme above. This is especially the case when moist (cloud) processes occur. An analysis of the model-produced dataset indicated that parameterizations for two terms needed to be developed to close the budget equations: the vertical flux of the mesoscale temperature and moisture. Similarity theory is used to parameterize these fluxes.