Evaluation of WRF Model Simulated Cloud Radiative Effects with Multiple Satellite Observations

Previous studies show large discrepancies in cloud radiative effects between model simulations and satellite observations. The reasons could be largely attributed to the inappropriate representation of cloud microphysical and optical parameterizations. In this study, an in-depth analysis of cloud radiative effects simulated with the state-of-the-art Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are compared with a synergy of multiple satellite observations including MODIS, CALIOP, and CloudSat. Various cloud microphysical parameterization schemes available in the WRF model are tested and their performances in capturing the evolution of clouds are thoroughly compared with multiple satellite observations. Several new ice and liquid water cloud optical property parameterization schemes are also implemented in the WRF model. Our results show that both cloud microphysical and optical parameterization schemes have remarkable influences on the simulation of cloud radiative effects. It is also noticeable that the newly implemented cloud optical parameterizations provide a better match with satellite observations.