A simple equilibrium model for shallow-cumulus-topped mixed layers

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Abstract

A new equilibrium model for shallow-cumulus-topped mixed layers is presented. A variant on the w * closure for the shallow-cumulus mass flux is applied that retains the convective area-fraction in its formulation. As opposed to being constant, the fraction is explicitly modeled using a statistical closure as a function of the saturation deficit and humidity variance at cloud base. As a consequence, important new interactions are introduced between the convective transport, humidity, and depth of the mixed layer. This mechanism, which we call the mass-flux humidity feedback, helps determine the character of the equilibrium state such that the mixed-layer top is maintained close to the cloud-base height. Due to the strong sensitivity of the mass flux to the area fraction, the latter thus acts as a regulator or valve mechanism on moist convective transport. As a consequence, the mixed-layer model is able to explain the robustness of many aspects of the shallow-cumulus boundary layer that is typically found in observations and large-eddy simulations (LESs). The model is evaluated for a single-LES case as well as for global climatology obtained from a 40-year reanalysis of meteorological data by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). LES characteristics of convective mass flux, cloud fraction, humidity variance, cloud-base height, and surface fluxes of heat and humidity are reproduced. The solution on reanalysis fields reproduces the spatial structure of mixed-layer temperature and humidity and their associated surface fluxes in the subtropical Atlantic and Pacific trade wind regions. Furthermore, the spatial structure of the convective area-fraction matches that of synoptic surface observations of frequency of occurrence of shallow cumulus. Particularly striking is the smooth onset of the convective area-fraction and mass flux along the trade-wind trajectory that is reproduced, from zero to typical trade-wind values. The cumulus onset represents the necessity for shallow-cumulus mass flux to occur in order to close the mixed-layer budgets of heat, moisture, and mass, as a response to the changing magnitude of large-scale subsidence and free tropospheric humidity along the trajectory. Finally, the mass flux model is implemented in an intermediate-complexity tropical climate model to study its behavior when fully interactive with the larger-scale flow. A climate run then shows that the model is stable, due to the mass-flux humidity feedback acting to keep the shallow-cumulus boundary layer close to its equilibrium state for long, climatological timescales. © Springer-Verlag 2006.

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Neggers, R., Stevens, B., & Neelin, J. D. (2006). A simple equilibrium model for shallow-cumulus-topped mixed layers. In Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (Vol. 20, pp. 305–322). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00162-006-0030-1

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