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Confronting a multi-plume scheme with observations of continental shallow convection
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  • Philipp Griewank,
  • Roel Neggers,
  • Thijs Heus,
  • Neil Lareau
Philipp Griewank
University of Cologne

Corresponding Author:philipp.griewank@uni-koeln.de

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Roel Neggers
University of Cologne
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Thijs Heus
Cleveland State University
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Neil Lareau
University of Nevada, Reno
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Abstract

Multi-plume convection schemes based on discretized size densities can be easily made scale-aware by size filtering the parametrized plumes to fit the model resolution. Combined with their capability to smoothly transition from shallow to deep convection while being both numerically robust and computationally viable, these bin macrophysics models are well suited to the needs of high resolution NWP and regional climate modeling. One such approach is the ED(MF)n scheme which has previously been evaluated in a single column model against maritime cumulus LES. In this presentation we will confront the ED(MF)n scheme with long-term Doppler lidar observations of shallow cumulus days from the ARM-SGP site in Oklahoma. To do so the ED(MF)n scheme is implemented and tested in a non-hydrostatic model on a microgrid of 8x8 or 16x16 gridpoints. By using a ~10 km resolution this system behaves as a collection of weakly interacting single column models. We will compare the modeled relationship of vertical velocity to plume size against the relationship found in both the Doppler lidar observations and the LASSO LES run routinely at the ARM-SGP site. Next we examine which effect the assumed cloud-size distribution and entrainment as a function of plume size have on the resulting vertical transport.