Applicability of Large-Scale Convection and Condensation Parameterization to Meso-γ-Scale HIRLAM: A Case Study of a Convective Event

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a case study of a single cold air outbreak event with widespread convective precipitation over southern Finland on 25 May 2001. The purpose of the study is to investigate the applicability of the convection and condensation scheme of the High-Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM) on meso-γ-scales. The study concentrates on the issue of grid-size-dependent convection parameterization. An explicit approach without the convection scheme is also examined. At the same time, the performance of an experimental nonhydrostatic version of HIRLAM is evaluated. Model simulations are conducted with three different horizontal grid spacings: 11, 5.6, and 2.8 km. Model results are compared to observed radar reflectivity data utilizing a radar simulation model, which calculates radar reflectivities from three-dimensional model output. The best results are obtained using nonhydrostatic dynamics and a grid-size-dependent convection scheme with a 5.6-km grid interval. However, even the best configuration still overestimates the area of strong reflectivity (intense precipitation). All the other combinations produce even stronger reflectivity. The grid-size-dependent convection parameterization is evidently beneficial at smaller grid spacings than 5.6 km. The nonhydrostatic model clearly outperforms its hydrostatic counterpart at the 5.6- and 2.8-km grid spacings, whereas with an 11-km grid interval, both models perform equally well.