On the representation of droplet coalescence and autoconversion: Evaluation using ambient cloud droplet size distributions
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Authors
Hsieh, W.C.
Jonsson, H.
Wang, L.-P.
Flagan, R.C.
Seinfeld, J.H.
Nenes, A.
Buzorius, G.
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Date of Issue
2009
Date
2009
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Abstract
In this study, we evaluate eight autoconversion parameterizations against integration
of the Kinetic Collection Equation (KCE) for cloud size distributions measured during the
NASA CRYSTAL-FACE and CSTRIPE campaigns. KCE calculations are done using
both the observed data and fits of these data to a gamma distribution function; it is found
that the fitted distributions provide a good approximation for calculations of total
coalescence but not for autoconversion because of fitting errors near the drop-drizzle
separation size. Parameterizations that explicitly compute autoconversion tend to be in
better agreement with KCE but are subject to substantial uncertainty, about an order of
magnitude in autoconversion rate. Including turbulence effects on droplet collection
increases autoconversion by a factor of 1.82 and 1.24 for CRYSTAL-FACE and CSTRIPE
clouds, respectively; this enhancement never exceeds a factor of 3, even under the
most aggressive collection conditions. Shifting the droplet-drizzle separation radius from
20 to 25 mm results in about a twofold uncertainty in autoconversion rate. The polynomial
approximation to the gravitation collection kernel used to develop parameterizations
provides computation of autoconversion that agree to within 30%. Collectively, these
uncertainties have an important impact on autoconversion but are all within the factor of
10 uncertainty of autoconversion parameterizations. Incorporating KCE calculations in
GCM simulations of aerosol-cloud interactions studies is computationally feasible by
using precalculated collection kernel tables and can quantify the autoconversion
uncertainty associated with application of parameterizations.
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Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 114, D07201
The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/
The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/
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Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS)
Meteorology
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.