The effect of cloud-radiative feedback on tropical deep convection and its coupling with large-scale dynamics

Recent research suggests that temporal and spatial variations of radiation may have a significant impact on convective organization, self-aggregation, Madden Julian Oscillation, and large scale climate regimes. To understand the fundamental role of cloud-radiative feedback, we perform a set of limited domain cloud-resolving numerical experiments with large-scale circulation parameterized using the weak temperature gradient. As we vary prescribed surface fluxes over a wide range, mean precipitation in the equilibrium does not deviate much from the surface fluxes, while the column-integrated radiative cooling rate decreases monotonically, accompanied by an increase of gross moist stability. The parameterized large-scale vertical motion peaks in the upper troposphere, and shows strong subsidence below the melting level. This dipolar structure suggests strong stratifrom influence. This dynamical effect of cloud-radiation interaction was absent when radiative cooling is prescribed in our previous study. The implication of these results will be further discussed.