Exploring the Significant Sensitivity of Hailstorm Simulation to Variations in Microphysics and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Schemes.

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Title: Exploring the Significant Sensitivity of Hailstorm Simulation to Variations in Microphysics and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Schemes.
Authors: Zhao, Jingya1 (AUTHOR), Li, Xiaofei1,2 (AUTHOR) xli@nwu.edu.cn, Yue, Zhiguo3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Weather & Forecasting. Aug2025, Vol. 40 Issue 8, p1281-1306. 26p.
Subjects: Microphysics, Atmospheric boundary layer, Reflectance, Weather forecasting, Computer simulation, Parameterization, Hailstorms
Geographic Terms: Loess Plateau (China), China
Abstract: The intricate nature of the physical parameterization schemes within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model poses challenges in accurately simulating hailstorms, particularly the complex cloud processes involved. Significant yet robust differences in sensitivities between two different parameterization schemes in two ensembles, namely, the microphysical parameterization (MP) and planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes, are found when simulating a hailstorm in the Loess Plateau region of China by comparing with observations. Experiments with variation in the MP scheme overestimate the strong reflectivity region (>45 dBZ) compared to radar observations. Conversely, experiments with variation in the PBL scheme better match observed locations, showing slightly higher peak reflectivity (>55 dBZ) in vertical structure compared to variation in the MP scheme. The reflectivity intensity in experiments with variation in the MP scheme is influenced by elevated rain mixing ratios below the 0°C layer, rain–snow differences between 0° and −38°C, high ice crystal mixing ratios in certain members, and the combination of strong vertical wind shear variations and extensive, intense cold zones. While experiments with variation in the PBL scheme exhibit less variation in hydrometeor mixing ratios compared to variation in the MP scheme, significant differences persist among members, with some members doubling the particle mixing ratio. The reflectivity intensity is impacted by notable differences in the structures of vertical velocity, updraft volume, and the potential temperature perturbation between 0° and −38°C. This study highlights the importance of describing both MP and PBL schemes to improve the accuracy of hailstorm simulations in numeric models. Significance Statement: Parameterization methods have been widely used in hailstorm simulations, but existing studies mainly focus on the impact of microphysical parameterization (MP) schemes, with fewer comparisons of other parameterization schemes. Choosing different parameterization schemes in this sensitivity experiment exhibits different effects, with the simulated storm showing high sensitivity to variations in both the MP and PBL schemes. Experiments with variation in the MP scheme exhibit higher rain and ice mixing ratios, along with greater vertical wind shear variability and more intense cold zones compared to variation in the PBL scheme, but the differences in vertical velocities, potential temperature perturbation, and hydrometeor mass from experiments with variation in the PBL schemes also impact reflectivity. This study contributes to the accurate modeling and forecasting of hailstorms in the Loess Plateau region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Weather & Forecasting is the property of American Meteorological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Exploring the Significant Sensitivity of Hailstorm Simulation to Variations in Microphysics and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Schemes.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhao%2C+Jingya%22">Zhao, Jingya</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Xiaofei%22">Li, Xiaofei</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> xli@nwu.edu.cn</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yue%2C+Zhiguo%22">Yue, Zhiguo</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Weather+%26+Forecasting%22">Weather & Forecasting</searchLink>. Aug2025, Vol. 40 Issue 8, p1281-1306. 26p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microphysics%22">Microphysics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Atmospheric+boundary+layer%22">Atmospheric boundary layer</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reflectance%22">Reflectance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Weather+forecasting%22">Weather forecasting</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation%22">Computer simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parameterization%22">Parameterization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hailstorms%22">Hailstorms</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Loess+Plateau+%28China%29%22">Loess Plateau (China)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The intricate nature of the physical parameterization schemes within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model poses challenges in accurately simulating hailstorms, particularly the complex cloud processes involved. Significant yet robust differences in sensitivities between two different parameterization schemes in two ensembles, namely, the microphysical parameterization (MP) and planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes, are found when simulating a hailstorm in the Loess Plateau region of China by comparing with observations. Experiments with variation in the MP scheme overestimate the strong reflectivity region (>45 dBZ) compared to radar observations. Conversely, experiments with variation in the PBL scheme better match observed locations, showing slightly higher peak reflectivity (>55 dBZ) in vertical structure compared to variation in the MP scheme. The reflectivity intensity in experiments with variation in the MP scheme is influenced by elevated rain mixing ratios below the 0°C layer, rain–snow differences between 0° and −38°C, high ice crystal mixing ratios in certain members, and the combination of strong vertical wind shear variations and extensive, intense cold zones. While experiments with variation in the PBL scheme exhibit less variation in hydrometeor mixing ratios compared to variation in the MP scheme, significant differences persist among members, with some members doubling the particle mixing ratio. The reflectivity intensity is impacted by notable differences in the structures of vertical velocity, updraft volume, and the potential temperature perturbation between 0° and −38°C. This study highlights the importance of describing both MP and PBL schemes to improve the accuracy of hailstorm simulations in numeric models. Significance Statement: Parameterization methods have been widely used in hailstorm simulations, but existing studies mainly focus on the impact of microphysical parameterization (MP) schemes, with fewer comparisons of other parameterization schemes. Choosing different parameterization schemes in this sensitivity experiment exhibits different effects, with the simulated storm showing high sensitivity to variations in both the MP and PBL schemes. Experiments with variation in the MP scheme exhibit higher rain and ice mixing ratios, along with greater vertical wind shear variability and more intense cold zones compared to variation in the PBL scheme, but the differences in vertical velocities, potential temperature perturbation, and hydrometeor mass from experiments with variation in the PBL schemes also impact reflectivity. This study contributes to the accurate modeling and forecasting of hailstorms in the Loess Plateau region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Weather & Forecasting is the property of American Meteorological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1175/WAF-D-24-0167.1
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 1281
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Microphysics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Atmospheric boundary layer
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reflectance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Weather forecasting
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parameterization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hailstorms
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Loess Plateau (China)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring the Significant Sensitivity of Hailstorm Simulation to Variations in Microphysics and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Schemes.
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Zhao, Jingya
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          Name:
            NameFull: Li, Xiaofei
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yue, Zhiguo
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 08
              Text: Aug2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 08828156
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              Value: 40
            – Type: issue
              Value: 8
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            – TitleFull: Weather & Forecasting
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