Articles | Volume 27, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-27-3055-2009
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-27-3055-2009
06 Aug 2009
 | 06 Aug 2009

The Goddard multi-scale modeling system with unified physics

W.-K. Tao, D. Anderson, J. Chern, J. Entin, A. Hou, P. Houser, R. Kakar, S. Lang, W. Lau, C. Peters-Lidard, X. Li, T. Matsui, M. Rienecker, M. R. Schoeberl, B.-W. Shen, J. J. Shi, and X. Zeng

Abstract. Recently, a multi-scale modeling system with unified physics was developed at NASA Goddard. It consists of (1) a cloud-resolving model (CRM), (2) a regional-scale model, the NASA unified Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF), and (3) a coupled CRM-GCM (general circulation model, known as the Goddard Multi-scale Modeling Framework or MMF). The same cloud-microphysical processes, long- and short-wave radiative transfer and land-surface processes are applied in all of the models to study explicit cloud-radiation and cloud-surface interactive processes in this multi-scale modeling system. This modeling system has been coupled with a multi-satellite simulator for comparison and validation with NASA high-resolution satellite data.

This paper reviews the development and presents some applications of the multi-scale modeling system, including results from using the multi-scale modeling system to study the interactions between clouds, precipitation, and aerosols. In addition, use of the multi-satellite simulator to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the model-simulated precipitation processes will be discussed as well as future model developments and applications.