Mesoscale Convective Systems Represented in High Resolution E3SMv2 and Impact of New Cloud and Convection Parameterizations

In this study, we evaluate mesoscale convective system (MCS) simulations in the second version of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SMv2). E3SMv2 atmosphere model (EAMv2) is run at the uniform 0.25° horizontal resolution. We track MCSs consistently in the model and observations using PyFLEXTRKR algorithm, which defines MCSs based on both cloud top brightness temperature (Tb) and surface precipitation. Results from using only Tbto define MCSs are also discussed to understand the impact of different MCS tracking algorithms on MCS evaluation and provide additional insights into model errors in simulating MCSs. Our results show that EAMv2 simulated MCS precipitation is largely underestimated in tropical and extratropical regions. This is mainly attributed to the underestimated MCS genesis and underestimated precipitation intensity in EAMv2. Comparing the two MCS tracking methods, simulated MCS precipitation is increased if MCSs are defined with only cloud top Tb. The Tb‐based MCS tracking method, however, includes cloud systems with very weak precipitation. This illustrates the model issues in simulating heavy precipitation even though the convective cloud shield is overall well simulated from the moist convective processes. Furthermore, sensitivity experiments are performed to examine the impact of new cloud and convection parameterizations developed for EAMv3 on simulated MCSs. The new physics parameterizations help increase the relative contribution of convective precipitation to total precipitation in the tropics, but the simulated MCS properties are not significantly improved. This suggests that simulating MCSs still remain a challenge for the next version of E3SM. Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are one of the largest forms of deep convective storms, which play an important role in the earth system. It is imperative for global climate models to reasonably simulate MCS properties. This study aims to evaluate simulated MCS properties in the second version of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SMv2). We utilized two different approaches to define MCSs in the model and observations for consistent comparisons. Our results show that the E3SMv2 model underestimates MCS precipitation in the tropical and subtropical regions. The too few MCSs and overly weak precipitation intensity in individual MCSs are the primary reasons for this MCS precipitation bias. The simulated MCS precipitation becomes more comparable to the observations when surface precipitation is not included in the MCS definition. However, many cloud systems with very weak precipitation characteristics are included. This comparison illustrates the model issues in precipitation formation while convective cloud structures are overall well simulated. In addition, by examining the impact of new physics parameterizations that are developed for the next generation of E3SM model on the MCS simulation, we find simulating MCSs will remain a challenge for the next version of E3SM model. Simulated mesoscale convective system (MCS) precipitation is substantially underestimated in E3SMv2 due to insufficient MCS genesis and rain rate in individual MCSsUtilizing different MCS tracking methods provides a more complete picture about the model capability in simulating MCSsMCS properties in E3SMv2 are not significantly improved with the new cloud and convection parameterizations developed for E3SMv3 Simulated mesoscale convective system (MCS) precipitation is substantially underestimated in E3SMv2 due to insufficient MCS genesis and rain rate in individual MCSs Utilizing different MCS tracking methods provides a more complete picture about the model capability in simulating MCSs MCS properties in E3SMv2 are not significantly improved with the new cloud and convection parameterizations developed for E3SMv3