Numerical sensitivity study of August 2005 Alpine flood

This study utilizes the NCAR mesocale model WRF with a cloud resolving set-up in order to better understand the heavy Alpine precipitation event that occured on 21-23 August 2005. Due to the cyclone movement the low-level flow direction towards northern Alpine flanks changes during this period of heavy precipitation. Furthermore the event is characterized by both stratiform and embedded convective orographic precipitation and thus serves as a diversified real case for several sensitivity experiments. Simulations with changed physics are conducted and results are validated against observational precipitation data within different Alpine domains. Special attention is given to the influence of microphysics schemes on mechanisms of orographic precipitation enhancement and simulated precipitation fields.