A study of cloud microphysics and precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau by radar observations and cloud‐resolving model simulations

Abstract

AbstractCloud microphysical properties and precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau are unique because of the high terrains, clean atmosphere, and sufficient water vapor. With dual‐polarization precipitation radar and cloud radar measurements during the Third Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Scientific Experiment, the simulated microphysics and precipitation by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences (CAMS) microphysics and other microphysical schemes are investigated through a typical plateau rainfall event on 22 July 2014. Results show that the WRF‐CAMS simulation reasonably reproduces the spatial distribution of 24 h accumulated precipitation but has limitations in simulating time evolution of precipitation rates. The model‐calculated polarimetric radar variables have biases as well, suggesting bias in modeled hydrometeor types. The raindrop sizes in convective region are larger than those in stratiform region indicated by the small intercept of raindrop size distribution in the former. In addition, the warm rain processes generate heavier precipitation than the cold rain processes do over the rainfall centers during weak convection period. The sensitivity of precipitation to perturbing the warm rain microphysical processes show that doubling droplet condensation increases precipitation significantly and produces the best area‐averaged rain rate, suggesting biases in thermodynamics in the baseline simulation. Halving raindrop evaporation results in an increase in weak rainfall areas along with a warmer subcloud layer. Increasing the initial cloud droplet size causes the rain rate reduced by half, an opposite effect to that of increasing droplet condensation.