Modeling convective-stratiform precipitation processes on a Mei-Yu front with the weather research and forecasting model: Comparison with observations and sensitivity to cloud microphysics parameterizations

Deep convective-scale simulations of the linear mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) formed on a Mei-Yu front over the Huai River basin in China on 7–8 July 2007 were conducted using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model to investigate impacts of cloud microphysics parameterizations on simulated convective-stratiform precipitation processes. Eight simulations were performed with identical configurations, except for differences in the cloud microphysics parameterizations. Measurements from rain gauges, ground-based weather radars, and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite Precipitation Radar were used to quantitatively evaluate the model results. While all of the simulations largely capture the observed large-scale characteristics of the precipitation event, notable differences among the simulations are found in the morphology and evolution of the MCSs at mesoscale and cloud scale. Significant influences on the coupling between dynamical and microphysical processes at the resolved deep convective scale by the various microphysical parameterizations are evident. On the one hand, the different microphysical schemes produce not only substantial differences in intensity of convective precipitation but also distinguishable vertical distributions of latent heating and condensate loading in the deep convective regions, which in turn results in significant differences in the vertical distributions of vertical air velocity and in the heights and strength of detrainment from deep convective regions. Consequently, detrainment of hydrometeors and positively buoyant air from the deep convective regions to the stratiform regions is significantly different, which impacts the formation and growth of ice-phase hydrometeors at the upper levels and thus surface rainfall rates in the stratiform regions. On the other hand, prediction of rain size distribution significantly impacts the simulated rain evaporation rates and mass-weighted rain fall speeds, and hence rain flux. Improper determination of the intercept parameter of rain size distribution can result in unrealistic features in the morphology of the storm and can have substantial impacts on precipitation distribution and evolution.