Two-moment Bulk Stratiform Cloud Microphysics in the Grid-point
Atmospheric Model of IAP LASG (GAMIL)
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Graphical Abstract
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Abstract
A two-moment bulk stratiform microphysics scheme, including recently
developed physically-based droplet activation/ice nucleation parameterizations
has been implemented into the Grid-point Atmospheric Model of IAP LASG (GAMIL)
as an effort to enhance the model's capability to simulate aerosol indirect
effects. Unlike the previous one-moment cloud microphysics scheme, the new
scheme produces a reasonable representation of cloud particle size and number
concentration. This scheme captures the observed spatial variations in cloud
droplet number concentrations. Simulated ice crystal number concentrations in
cirrus clouds qualitatively agree with in situ observations. The longwave and
shortwave cloud forcings are in better agreement with observations. Sensitivity
tests show that the column cloud droplet number concentrations calculated from
two different droplet activation parameterizations are similar. However, ice
crystal number concentration in mixed-phased clouds is sensitive to different
heterogeneous ice nucleation formulations. The simulation with high ice crystal
number concentration in mixed-phase clouds has less liquid water path and
weaker cloud forcing. Furthermore, ice crystal number concentration in cirrus
clouds is sensitive to different ice nucleation parameterizations. Sensitivity
tests also suggest that the impact of pre-existing ice crystals on homogeneous
freezing in old clouds should be taken into account.
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