P2B.10 Comparison and validation of WRF-ARW cloud microphysics schemes during C3VP/CLEX-10 field experiment

Better understanding of the vertical structures of clouds in the atmosphere is essential for more accurate radar, lidar, satellite retrievals, climate/weather numerical modeling, and even aviation safety issues regarding icing conditions (Fleishauer et al., 2002). However, an accurate estimate of liquid and ice phase hydrometeors in the clouds is still very challenging, and our limited knowledge of cloud microphysical structures and characteristics has caused clouds to be poorly represented in weather/climate models and satellite retrievals. In general, quantitative studies of cloud phase-composition and distribution in numerical modeling have been significantly limited by a lack of intensive in-situ measurements that can directly evaluate the simulated results. In this study, three different cloud microphysics schemes in the Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW; Skamarock et al. 2008) dynamic core are evaluated for non-precipitating midlevel cloud and snowfall cases. In order to validate the simulations, we take full advantage of rich data sources from various satellite and intensive aircraft in-situ observations. For each case, the horizontal cloud patterns from the WRF simulations are compared with MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) IR images. In particular, the vertical structures and properties of liquid and ice phase hydrometeors from two microphysics schemes are validated by using Convair-580 aircraft measurements and CloudSat products.