Investigating the simulation of cloud microphysical processes in numerical models using a one-dimensional dynamical framework

This paper describes the method by which the performance of a suite of microphysics schemes of varying levels of complexity can be compared within an idealised framework. The purpose is to establish the level of microphysical sophistication required for the successful simulation of liquid clouds in operational models, paying particular attention to the required level of coupling with aerosols. Initial results from a lagrangian parcel model are able to demonstrate the importance of the treatment of droplet activation in dual moment schemes for predicting droplet number qualitatively. Subsequent testing within a one-dimensional (1D) column model using the existing factorial method (FM) will aim to quantify the importance of microphysical complexity on precipitation and cloud albedo relative to the effects of meteorology. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society