Assessment of the two-way Coupled WRF-CMAQ Model with Observations from the CARES

The main goal of this assessment is to evaluate the improved aerosol component of two-way coupled WRF-CMAQ model particularly in representing aerosol physical and optical properties by utilizing observations from the Carbonaceous Aerosol and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) in May 2010 which was held in central California. The objective of the CARES was to investigate the evolution of carbonaceous aerosols of different types and their optical and hygroscopic properties. Since various instruments (e.g. AMS, PSAP and FIMS) were deployed aboard two aircrafts (DOE G-1 and NASA B-200) during the field campaign, the available in situ measurements provide an opportunity to explore the aerosol radiative effects in a detailed manner. For example, measurements of particulate matter size, species and optical properties are made not only at the surface but also in the vertical - these can be utilized to assess the simulation output with a single column model. In addition, satellite data (e.g. SeaWiFS) will be used for regional assessment. The new two-way coupled model has been updated with several modifications such as densities and refractive indices for different particulate matter species based on OPAC dataset and Mie and Core-Shell scattering approaches. Two months (May and June 2010) simulations (feedback and no feedback) at 4-km horizontal resolution are conducted. Detailed comparisons of various meteorological (e.g., planetary boundary layer heights, radiation fields), chemical (PM composition and relevant gas-phase precursors), and optical (extinction, AOD) characteristics simulated by the model with corresponding measurements from the field campaign will be discussed for simulations involving both aerosol feedback and no-feedback.