Spectral retrieval of latent heating profiles from TRMM PR data: comparisons of lookup tables from two- and three-dimensional simulations

Abstract

The Spectral Latent Heating (SLH) algorithm was developed to estimate latent heating profiles for the TRMM PR. The method uses PR information (precipitation top height, precipitation rates at the surface and melting level, and rain type) to select heating profiles from lookup tables. Lookup tables for the three rain types-convective, shallow stratiform, and anvil rain (deep stratiform with a melting level)-were derived from numerical simulations of tropical cloud systems from the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere (TOGA) Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) utilizing a cloud-resolving model (CRM). The two-dimensional ("2D") CRM was used in the previous studies. The availability of exponentially increasing computer capabilities has resulted in three-dimensional ("3D") CRM simulations for multiday periods becoming increasing prevalent. In this study, we compare lookup tables from the 2D and 3D simulations. The lookup table from 3D simulations results in less agreement between the SLH-retrieved heating and sounding-based one for the South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX). The level of SLH-estimated maximum heating is lower than that of the sounding-derived one. This is explained by the fact that the 3D lookup table produces stronger convective heating and weaker stratiform heating above the melting level that 2D counterpart. Condensate generated in and carried over from the convective region is larger in 3D than in 2D, and condensate that is produced by the stratiform region's own upward motion is smaller in 3D than 2D.