Computational Domain Size Effects on Large-Eddy Simulations of Precipitating Shallow Cumulus Convection

Abstract

Idealized large-eddy simulations of shallow convection often utilize horizontally periodic computational domains. The development of precipitation in shallow cumulus convection changes the spatial structure of convection and creates large-scale organization. However, the limited periodic domain constrains the horizontal variability of the atmospheric boundary layer. Small computational domains cannot capture the mesoscale boundary layer organization and artificially constrain the horizontal convection structure. The effects of the horizontal domain size on large-eddy simulations of shallow precipitating cumulus convection are investigated using four computational domains, ranging from 40×40km2 to 320×320km2 and fine grid resolution (40 m). The horizontal variability of the boundary layer is captured in computational domains of 160×160km2. Small LES domains (≤40 km) cannot reproduce the mesoscale flow features, which are about 100km long, but the boundary layer mean profiles are similar to those of the larger domains. Turbulent fluxes, temperature and moisture variances, and horizontal length scales are converged with respect to domain size for domains equal to or larger than 160×160km2. Vertical velocity flow statistics, such as variance and spectra, are essentially identical in all domains and show minor dependence on domain size. Characteristic horizontal length scales (i.e., those relating to the mesoscale organization) of horizontal wind components, temperature and moisture reach an equilibrium after about hour 30.