Sensitivity of precipitation and temperature over the Mount Kenya area to physics parameterization options in a high-resolution model simulation performed with WRFV3.8.1

Abstract. Several sensitivity experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 have been performed to find optimal parameterization setup for precipitation amounts patterns around Mount Kenya at a convection-permitting scale of 1 km. Hereby, focus is on cumulus scheme, tests Kain–Fritsch, Grell–Freitas, no parameterizations. In addition, two longwave radiation schemes planetary boundary layer parameterizations are evaluated, different nesting ratios numbers nests tested. The compared against large amount weather station data three gridded observational sets. temporal correlation monthly sums show that fewer lead more constrained simulation, hence higher. pattern confirms this result, but when comparing it most recent set difference between number marginal. further reveal using Grell–Freitas in domains resolutions >5 km provides best results comes amounts. If used any domains, situ observations simulated especially poor nests. Moreover, even if captured reasonably well, clear overestimation scheme all domains. experiment also reasonable 2 m temperature respect data.