Parameterisation of orographic cloud dynamics in a GCM

Dean, S. M., Flowerdew, J., Lawrence, B. N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-7860 and Eckermann, S. D. (2007) Parameterisation of orographic cloud dynamics in a GCM. Climate Dynamics, 28 (6). pp. 581-597. ISSN 0930-7575 doi: 10.1007/s00382-006-0202-0

Abstract/Summary

A new parameterisation is described that predicts the temperature perturbations due to sub-grid scale orographic gravity waves in the atmosphere of the 19 level HadAM3 version of the United Kingdom Met Office Unified Model. The explicit calculation of the wave phase allows the sign of the temperature perturbation to be predicted. The scheme is used to create orographic clouds, including cirrus, that were previously absent in model simulations. A novel approach to the validation of this parameterisation makes use of both satellite observations of a case study, and a simulation in which the Unified Model is nudged towards ERA-40 assimilated winds, temperatures and humidities. It is demonstrated that this approach offers a feasible way of introducing large scale orographic cirrus clouds into GCMs.