High‐Frequency Intermittency in Observed and Model‐Simulated Precipitation

Covey, Curt; Doutriaux, Charles; Gleckler, P. J.; Taylor, Karl E.; Trenberth, Kevin E.; Zhang, Yongxin

doi:10.1029/2018gl078926

Cited by 17 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Another important characteristic of simulated precipitation that has received relatively little attention is precipitation intermittency (Covey et al., 2018; Trenberth et al., 2017). Using 3‐hourly data with four thresholds of precipitation event duration (0.5, 1, 4, and 50 mm day −1 ), we investigate the duration of precipitation events of different intensity over the tropics (Figure 2).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superior Daily and Sub‐Daily Precipitation Statistics for Intense and Long‐Lived Storms in Global Storm‐Resolving Models

Klein

Lee

et al. 2022

Geophysical Research Letters

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Daily and sub‐daily precipitation statistics are investigated from three global model ensembles: (a) global storm‐resolving models (GSRMs) with typical horizontal resolutions of ∼4 km, (b) “high”‐resolution global models with typical resolutions of ∼50 km and (c) “standard”‐resolution global models with typical resolutions of ∼100 km. Compared to two satellite rainfall datasets, GSRMs convincingly exhibit superior performance for statistics of heavier rain rate events including their diurnal cycle, spatial propagation and the amount contributed by intense precipitation, but not for statistics of weaker or shorter duration precipitation. Both high‐ and standard‐resolution models fail to simulate the correct phase and amplitude of diurnal cycle of precipitation and the propagating convection in the Central US, but high‐resolution models show relative improvement in the distribution of precipitation frequency and amount, especially for intense precipitation.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superior Daily and Sub‐Daily Precipitation Statistics for Intense and Long‐Lived Storms in Global Storm‐Resolving Models

Klein

Lee

et al. 2022

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…To the extent observations permit it, some aspects of sub-daily simulated precipitation have been evaluated including the diurnal cycle [ 15 ]. More recently, irregular sub-daily fluctuations about the mean diurnal cycle or ‘intermittency’ have been shown to be underestimated by models, even after taking into account the observational ‘error bars’ implied by different space–time resolutions [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of extreme sub-daily precipitation in high-resolution global climate model simulations

Wehner

Lee

Risser

et al. 2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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We examine the resolution dependence of errors in extreme sub-daily precipitation in available high-resolution climate models. We find that simulated extreme precipitation increases as horizontal resolution increases but that appropriately constructed model skill metrics do not significantly change. We find little evidence that simulated extreme winter or summer storm processes significantly improve with the resolution because the model performance changes identified are consistent with expectations from scale dependence arguments alone. We also discuss the implications of these scale-dependent limitations on the interpretation of simulated extreme precipitation. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Intensification of short-duration rainfall extremes and implications for flash flood risks’.

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“…As the fuzzy methodology has proven to be better suited (compared to deterministic methods) for comparisons involving such a highly variable parameter as precipitation, especially when it comes to extremes, it would be of particular interest to extend its application both for the space (toward global) and for the time scale (toward higher resolution). This would allow one to get a more complete picture on the useful scales of the global products (in different regions) and to judge the reliability of products (especially models) in representing fluctuations at subdaily time scales, which form the dominant component for the variance of precipitation around the world (Covey et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representation of Precipitation Characteristics and Extremes in Regional Reanalyses and Satellite- and Gauge-Based Estimates over Western and Central Europe

Lockhoff

Zolina

Simmer

et al. 2019

Journal of Hydrometeorology

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This paper evaluates several daily precipitation products over western and central Europe, identifies and documents their respective strengths and shortcomings, and relates these to uncertainties associated with each of the products. We analyze one gauge-based, three satellite-based, and two reanalysis-based products using high-density rain gauge observations as reference. First, we assess spatial patterns and frequency distributions using aggregated statistics. Then, we determine the skill of precipitation event detection from these products with a focus on extremes, using temporally and spatially matched pairs of precipitation estimates. The results show that the quality of the datasets largely depends on the region, season, and precipitation characteristic addressed. The satellite and the reanalysis precipitation products are found to have difficulties in accurately representing precipitation frequency with local overestimations of more than 40%, which occur mostly in dry regions (all products) as well as along coastlines and over cold/frozen surfaces (satellite-based products). The frequency distributions of wet-day intensities are generally well reproduced by all products. Concerning the frequency distributions of wet-spell durations, the satellite-based products are found to have clear deficiencies for maritime-influenced precipitation regimes. Moreover, the analysis of the detection of extreme precipitation events reveals that none of the non-station-based datasets shows skill at the shortest temporal and spatial scales (1 day, 0.25°), but at and above the 3-day and 1.25° scale the products start to exhibit skill over large parts of the domain. Added value compared to coarser-resolution global benchmark products is found both for reanalysis and satellite-based products.

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High‐Frequency Intermittency in Observed and Model‐Simulated Precipitation

Cited by 17 publications

References 27 publications

Superior Daily and Sub‐Daily Precipitation Statistics for Intense and Long‐Lived Storms in Global Storm‐Resolving Models

Superior Daily and Sub‐Daily Precipitation Statistics for Intense and Long‐Lived Storms in Global Storm‐Resolving Models

Evaluation of extreme sub-daily precipitation in high-resolution global climate model simulations

Representation of Precipitation Characteristics and Extremes in Regional Reanalyses and Satellite- and Gauge-Based Estimates over Western and Central Europe

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