Innovative Program of Climate Change Projection for the 21st Century

Cloud Modeling

Cloud modeling and typhoon research

Sophistication of the cloud-resolving model and its coupling with global models


Fig. Three-dimensional cloud display of Typhoon 0418 simulated by the CReSS model with 1 km resolution.
Cloud physics is one of the key processes in modeling studies of climate change, especially for global warming. Improvement of cloud processes is necessary for accurate simulations by global models. Cloud processes are also core processes in simulations of high-impact weather systems such as heavy rainfalls and typhoons. The cloud modeling team will focus on addressing four objectives. First, the cloud microphysics of the "Cloud Resolving Storm Simulator (CReSS)" model will be improved. The dynamic part of the CReSS model will also be improved for accurate and high-speed calculation. Second, the cloud parameters of global models will be examined using the CReSS model. Satellite observations are used for verification of the cloud modeling. Third, the CReSS model will be coupled with global models interactively for accurate modeling of convective regions. In particular, convective clouds in the tropical region and typhoons will be studied using the models. Fourth, the CReSS model will be used for typhoon research. This aims to contribute to verifications of typhoon simulations made by global models, and to accurate and quantitative evaluations of typhoon impacts on human society under the present and warming climates.