Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A coupled dynamical-radiational model of stratocumulus

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model dealing with interactions between the air and low stratiform clouds is presented based on the mixed-layer model Lilly (1968) pioneered and on Deardorff's three dimensional numerical model results. Its main new aspects lie in 1) consideration of the natures of both the atmosphere and cloud; 2) a new entrainment velocity scheme with few arbitrary assumptions; 3) transition from one-mixed layer to two-mixed layer model; and 4) parameterization of radiation and precipitation calculations.

The model results for radiation, moisture, and heat turbulent fluxes turn out to be in good agreement with those calculated or observed by Kawa (1988), Nicholls (1984), and Schmets et al. (1981) in California, the North Sea, and the North Atlantic, respectively.

Basically, this paper furnishes the theoretical basis for a model to address questions concerning the time-evolution of thermodynamical profiles both in cloud and out of cloud. The applications of this model wil be in a separate paper.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Deardorff, J.W., (1976), On the entrainment rate of a stratocumulus-topped mixed layer,Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,102: 563–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, (1980), Stratocumulus-capped mixed layers derived from a three-dimensional model,Boundary-layer Meteor.,18: 495–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fravalo, C., Y. Fouqqart, and R. Rosset, (1981), The sensitivity of a model of low stratiform clouds to radiation,J. Atmos. Sci.,38: 1049–1062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, K. T., S. K. Cox, and R. G. Knollenberg, (1980), Infrared radiative properties of tropical cirrus clouds inferred from aircraft measurements,J. Atmos. Sci.,37: 1077–1087.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, H. P., (1987), Parameterization of radiative flux profiles within layer clouds, Submitted toJ. of Climate and Applied Meteorology.

  • Herman, G., and R. Goody, (1976), Formation and persistence of summertime arctic stratus clouds,J. Atmos. Sci.,33: 1538–1553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawa, R., (1988), The chemistry and dynamics of marine stratocumulus, the Ph D thesis of Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins (200 pp).

  • Lacis, A. A., and J. E. Hansen, (1974), A parameterization for the absorption of solar radiation in the earth's atmosphere,J. Atmos. Sci.,31: 118–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lilly, D. K., (1968), Models of cloud-topped mixed layers under a strong inversion,Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,94: 292–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liou, K.-N., and G. D. Wittman, (1979), Parameterization of the radiative properties of cloud,J. Atmos. Sci.,36: 1261–1273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, S., (1984), The dynamics of stratocumulus: Aircraft observations and comparisons with a mixed layer model,Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,110: 783–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, D. A., W. S. Lewellen, and G. G. Williamson, (1978), The interactions between turbulent and radiative transport in the development of fog and low level stratus,J. Atmos. Sci.,35: 301–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paltridge, G. W., (1974), Infrared emissivity, short-wave albedo and the microphysics of stratiform water clouds,J. Geophys. Res.,79: 4053–4065.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan, V., (1976), Radiative transfer within the earth's troposphere and stratosphere: A simplified radiative-convective model,J. Atmos. Sci.,33: 1330–1346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, (1981), The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in the CO2 climate problem,J. Atmos. Sci.,38: 918–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmets, J. E. Raschke, and H. Fimpel, (1981), Solar and thermal radiation in maritime stratocumulus clouds,Beitr. Phys. Atmosph.,54: 442–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, G. A., (1978), Radiation profiles in extended water clouds I and II,J. Atmos. Sci.,35: 2111–2122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —, S. Ackerman, and E. A. Smith, (1984), A shortwave parameterization vevised to improve cloud absorption,J. Atmos. Sci.,41: 2133–2141.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Academia Sinice., 100011, Beijing

    Ye Weizuo

Authors
  1. Ye Weizuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This paper and its sequel are basically based on the author's doctoral thesis completed at NCAR.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ye, W. A coupled dynamical-radiational model of stratocumulus. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 7, 197–210 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02919158

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02919158

Keywords

Search

Navigation