Simulation of the Baiu Front in a High Resolution AGCM.

Abstract

The features of the Baiu front are examined using an AGCM with high resolution (T106L60). The Arakawa-Schubert scheme is used for the cumulus parameterization. The model clearly simulates the eastward-moving band of rain concentrated south of Japan during June, which can be considered the Baiu front. The characteristics of the Baiu front, such as the low level jet stream, a moist neutral stratification and a strong meridional gradient of moisture, are well simulated. Meso-α-scale disturbances appearing in the model are also comparable to the observational results. Experiments with varying horizontal resolutions keeping the same vertical resolution are also performed to examine resolution dependences. The distribution of precipitation is improved using higher resolution. In the T106L20 experiment, the Baiu-like frontal zone is formed by using a strong gravity wave drag parameterization. Thee strength of the subtropical jet is important over the Baiu front for a good simulation. Experiments with two different cumulus parameterizations (the moist convective adjustment, and Kuo schemes) are performed at T106L20 resolution to examine the effect of the parameterization on the simulation of the Baiu front. The moist convective adjustment scheme leads to high rainfall in the extra tropical region. The patterns of the Indian monsoon, and the North Pacific subtropical anticyclone, are quite different from those favorable to the formation of the Baiu front. On the other hand, a better distribution of precipitation is found using the Kuo scheme. However, an earlier disappearance of the Baiu front is seen in each cumulus parameterization experiment.