Huang et al. (2025) Evaluating microphysics scheme impacts on summer precipitation in Northwestern China using a convection permitting WRF model

Identification

• Journal: Atmospheric Research
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-25
• Authors: Ya Huang, Qingyun Duan, Yong Zhao, Lihua Chen, Yanping Li
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108691

Research Groups

• School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
• College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
• State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Catchment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
• Guangxi Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Engineering Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
• College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

Short Summary

This study evaluates the impact of three double-moment microphysics schemes (JIS, Thompson, WDM7) on summer precipitation simulations over Northwestern China using a convection-permitting WRF model. It finds that WDM7 provides the most accurate diurnal cycle and effectively reduces wet biases in mountain precipitation compared to the other schemes.

Objective

• To evaluate the performance and impacts of three double-moment microphysics schemes (Jensen ISHMAEL, Thompson, and WRF Double Moment 7 class) on simulating summer precipitation characteristics, including spatial distribution, diurnal cycle, hydrometeor structure, and thermodynamic conditions, over Northwestern China using a convection-permitting WRF model.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Northwestern China, simulated with a 4 km horizontal grid spacing.
• Temporal Scale: Summer precipitation for the period 2009 to 2011 (3 years), focusing on daily and sub-daily variations.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: WRF ARW (Advanced Research WRF) model in a convection-permitting configuration. Microphysics parameterization schemes evaluated: Jensen ISHMAEL (JIS), Thompson (TH), and WRF Double Moment 7 class (WDM7).
• Data sources: IMERG satellite data and surface observations for evaluation.

Main Results

• All three microphysics schemes successfully reproduce the major precipitation bands along the Tianshan, Qilian, and Kunlun Mountains.
• Common biases include wet biases at high elevations and dry biases in the Tarim and Qaidam Basins.
• For diurnal variations, all schemes capture the characteristic double-peak cycle; WDM7 provides the most accurate peak timing, TH performs moderately, and JIS shows a delayed, overly strong afternoon peak.
• Hydrometeor analysis indicates that JIS and TH generate deeper, more continuous ice-phase layers in the mid- to upper troposphere, supporting persistent precipitation development, while WDM7 produces noticeably weaker mid-level ice content.
• Thermodynamic responses show that JIS and TH modify local instability and moisture through stronger latent heating feedbacks, whereas WDM7 exhibits lower atmospheric moisture and instability and a higher lifting condensation level, creating conditions less favorable for deep convection.
• WDM7 exhibited the smallest wet bias and most effectively reduced the overestimation of mountain precipitation present in the JIS and TH simulations.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive evaluation of three double-moment microphysics schemes (JIS, Thompson, WDM7) in a convection-permitting WRF model specifically for summer precipitation over the complex terrain of Northwestern China.
• Offers detailed insights into the schemes' impacts on spatial distribution, diurnal cycle, hydrometeor structure, and thermodynamic conditions, which are crucial for understanding precipitation formation.
• Identifies WDM7 as the most effective scheme among those tested for reducing wet biases and improving the simulation of mountain precipitation in the study region.
• Highlights the critical importance of microphysics scheme selection for enhancing the accuracy of high-resolution precipitation simulations over complex terrain.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Huang2025Evaluating,
  author = {Huang, Ya and Duan, Qingyun and Zhao, Yong and Chen, Lihua and Li, Yanping},
  title = {Evaluating microphysics scheme impacts on summer precipitation in Northwestern China using a convection permitting WRF model},
  journal = {Atmospheric Research},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108691},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108691}
}