Abstract
Abstract. Lagrangian cloud models (LCMs) are considered the future of cloud microphysical modelling. Compared to bulk models, however, LCMs are computationally expensive due to the typically high number of simulation particles (SIPs) necessary to represent microphysical processes such as collisional growth of hydrometeors successfully. In this study, the representation of collisional growth is explored in one-dimensional column simulations, allowing for the explicit consideration of sedimentation, complementing the authors' previous study on zero-dimensional collection in a single grid box. Two variants of the Lagrangian probabilistic all-or-nothing (AON) collection algorithm are tested that mainly differ in the assumed spatial distribution of the droplet ensemble: the first variant assumes the droplet ensemble to be well-mixed in a predefined three-dimensional grid box (WM3D), while the second variant considers the (sub-grid) vertical position of the SIPs, reducing the well-mixed assumption to a two-dimensional, horizontal plane (WM2D). Since the number of calculations in AON depends quadratically on the number of SIPs, an established approach is tested that reduces the number of calculations to a linear dependence (so-called linear sampling). All variants are compared to established Eulerian bin model solutions. Generally, all methods approach the same solutions and agree well if the methods are applied with sufficiently high resolution (foremost is the number of SIPs, and to a lesser extent time step and vertical grid spacing). Converging results were found for fairly large time steps, larger than those typically used in the numerical solution of diffusional growth. The dependence on the vertical grid spacing can be reduced if AON-WM2D is applied. The study also shows that AON-WM3D simulations with linear sampling, a common speed-up measure, converge only slightly slower compared to simulations with a quadratic SIP sampling. Hence, AON with linear sampling is the preferred choice when computation time is a limiting factor. Most importantly, the study highlights that results generally require a smaller number of SIPs per grid box for convergence than previous one-dimensional box simulations indicated. The reason is the ability of sedimenting SIPs to interact with a larger ensemble of particles when they are not restricted to a single grid box. Since sedimentation is considered in most commonly applied three-dimensional models, the results indicate smaller computational requirements for successful simulations, encouraging a wider use of LCMs in the future.
Highlights
Clouds are a fundamental part of the global hydrological cycle, responsible for the transport and formation of precipitation
Collisional growth in Lagrangian cloud models (LCMs) has recently been rigorously evaluated in box model simulations by Unterstrasser et al (2017), who compared three algorithms documented in the literature: the remapping algorithm (RMA) by Andrejczuk et al (2010), the average-impact algorithm (AIM) by Riechelmann et al (2012), and the all-or-nothing algorithm (AON) concurrently developed by Shima et al (2009) and Sölch and Kärcher (2010)
All following between Eulerian (BIN) simulations rely on MPDATA and we can attribute the differences that we may see in the following validation exercises to the different numerical treatment of collisional growth
Summary
Clouds are a fundamental part of the global hydrological cycle, responsible for the transport and formation of precipitation. Ice crystals accrete supercooled liquid droplets forming graupel or hailstones The representation of these microphysical processes in climate models is impelled by the available computational resources, requiring necessary idealisations. Collisional growth in LCMs has recently been rigorously evaluated in box model simulations by Unterstrasser et al (2017) (hereinafter abbreviated as U2017), who compared three algorithms documented in the literature: the remapping algorithm (RMA) by Andrejczuk et al (2010), the average-impact algorithm (AIM) by Riechelmann et al (2012), and the all-or-nothing algorithm (AON) concurrently developed by Shima et al (2009) and Sölch and Kärcher (2010). AON BC DNC DSD GB LCM LWC MC SIP U2017 all-or-nothing algorithm boundary condition droplet number concentration droplet size distribution grid box Lagrangian cloud model liquid water content multiple collection Simulation particle Unterstrasser et al (2017)
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