Bridging Community Physics Innovations and NWP Models: Advanced UFS Physics Testing by the Developmental Testbed Center

The UFS-R2O physics subproject enables physics developers and scientists to actively engage in the model physics development process and ensures improvements will be properly implemented in the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The Developmental Testbed Center (DTC), which has an overarching goal of making the R2O pipeline more efficient, participates in this process by conducting advanced testing and evaluation of physics innovations.

Over the past year, we have collaborated closely with the UFS physics developers to assess key physical innovations and interactions among model physics components, such as surface-boundary layer interactions and the interplay between radiation, clouds and microphysics. This presentation will highlight our efforts through the Common Community Physics Package (CCPP) single-column model (SCM) which facilitates hierarchical testing of model physics without the substantial computing resources needed for high-resolution, three-dimensional models. We will delve into the testing and evaluation of the updated MYNN-EDMF planetary boundary layer scheme, the aerosol-aware Thompson cloud microphysics scheme, and intercomparison of cloud microphysics schemes in the UFS. Key findings will be discussed, including challenges of properly representing continental shallow cumulus, marine stratocumulus, and mixed-phase Arctic clouds, as well as cloud-radiation-moist physics interactions across various cases. Additionally, we will explore physics behaviors across various scales, from convective-allowing, medium-range to seasonal forecasts, and showcase our effort on the UFS Seasonal Forecast System (SFS), focusing on diurnal cycle of sea-surface temperature, cloud representation, and model behavior related to clouds and microphysical properties at coarser resolutions (e.g., 100 km).