New tool clears the air on cloud simulations (Climate models get better cloud modeling)

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://www.llnl.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/Oct/NR-11-10-06.html

For immediate release: 10/26/2011 | NR-11-10-06

New tool clears the air on cloud simulations

Anne M Stark, LLNL, [phone], [e-mail]

LIVERMORE, Calif. -- Climate models have a hard time representing clouds accurately because they lack the spatial resolution necessary to accurately simulate the billowy air masses.

…

Climate models struggle to represent clouds accurately because the models lack the spatial resolution to fully represent clouds. Global climate models typically have a 100-kilometer resolution while meteorological models have a 20-kilometer range. However, to accurately represent clouds as seen in satellite measurements, the scale would need to be from the 500-meter resolution to 1-kilometer range.

"But those small scales are not practical for weather or global climate models," Klein said. "Our tool will better connect with what the satellites observe - how many clouds, their levels and their reflectivity."

The COSP is now used worldwide by most of the major models for climate and weather prediction, and it will play an important role in the evaluation of models that will be reviewed by the next report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Klein said.

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[kestrel91316]

1. Oh, good. Now we'll have an even better, more accurate understanding of

just how horrible things are going to get.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Better than being blind-sided

(IMHO.)

[jwirr]

3. Absolutely. I cannot even hope to prepare for what I do not know.