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How Much Convective Environment Subgrid Spatial Variability is Missing within Atmospheric Reanalysis Datasets?
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  • Peter James Marinescu,
  • Susan C van den Heever,
  • Leah D. Grant,
  • Jennie Bukowski,
  • Itinderjot Singh
Peter James Marinescu
Colorado State University

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Susan C van den Heever
Colorado State University
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Leah D. Grant
Colorado State University
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Jennie Bukowski
UCLA
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Itinderjot Singh
Colorado State University
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Abstract

Convective cloud processes are sensitive to environmental conditions that vary on scales smaller than reanalysis datasets (sub-reanalysis scales). Convective environment variability within areas representative of reanalysis datasets is quantified using large-domain, high-resolution (∆x = 100 m) simulations of convective cloud systems throughout the tropics and subtropics. Even after removing locations of resolved clouds and precipitation, convective environment parameters vary significantly on these scales. For example, for half of the simulated data, 500 hPa relative humidity varied by ~30% within a typical reanalysis area. Surface winds, convective available potential energy, and middle-tropospheric moisture are the most variable convective environment parameters for both continental and maritime regimes, while above-surface temperature and winds are the least variable. While high-resolution, sub-reanalysis-scale extrema are well-correlated with the reanalysis-area mean values, some of the most extreme convective environments can occur within regions with moderate reanalysis-area mean values, particularly for continental regions.
14 Aug 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
15 Aug 2024Published in ESS Open Archive