Because it is exceedingly difficult to scientifically probe the atmosphere in a highly controlled way, many of us rely on models of the atmosphere to overcome this limitation. In my work, I focus on the use of high resolution simulations of convective clouds conducted on domains large enough that a statistically representative sample of clouds exists. This combination of model fidelity and domain size is incredibly computationally expensive. What this expense buys is a unique view of clouds. The clouds in these simulations are well resolved through direct simulation of their macrophysics and high quality parameterization of their microphysics. It also allows me to investigate the interactions between individual clouds of the same or different types and their interaction with their local meteorological environment.
Topical References:
Rydbeck, A. V. T. G. Jensen, and M. R. Igel (2019): Idealized Modeling of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Response in the Western Indian Ocean to Downwelling Equatorial Rossby Waves. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. 76, 2023-2042, DOI: 10.1175/JAS-D-18-0303.1. RJI
Falk, N. M., A. L. Igel and M. R. Igel (2019): The Relative Impact of Ice Fall Speeds and Microphysics Parameterization Complexity on Supercell Evolution. Monthly Weather Review. 147, 2403-2415, doi: 10.1175/MWR-D-18-0417.1 FII
Igel, M. R., S. Herbener, and S. Saleeby (2017): The Tropical Precipitation Pickup Threshold and Clouds in a Radiative Convective Equilibrium Model. Part I: Column Moisture. Journal of Geophysical Research. 122, 6453-6468. doi:10.1002/2016JD025907 IHS
Igel, M. R. (2017): The Tropical Precipitation Pickup Threshold and Clouds in a Radiative Convective Equilibrium Model. Part II: Two-Layer Moisture. Journal of Geophysical Research. 122,6469-6487. doi:10.1002/2016JD025908 Igel
King, J. M., C. D. Kummerow, S. C. van den Heever, M. R. Igel (2015): Modeled and observed warm rainfall occurrence and its relationships with cloud macrophysical properties. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences. 72, 4075-4090. JKHI
Igel, A. L., M. R. Igel, and S. C. van den Heever (2015): Make it a Double? Sobering Results from Simulations using Single-Moment Microphysics Schemes. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 72, 910-925, doi: 10.1175/JAS-D-14-0107.1. IIH
Igel, M. R., S. C. van den Heever, G. L. Stephens, and D. J. Posselt (2014): Convective-Scale Responses of a Large-Domain Modeled, Tropical Atmosphere to Surface Warming. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 140, DOI:10.1002/qj.2230. (Riehl Award) IHSP
Posselt, D. J., S. van den Heever, G. Stephens, and M. R. Igel (2012): Changes in the interactions between tropical convection, radiation and the large scale circulation in a warming environment. Journal of Climate, 25, doi: 10.1175/2011JCLI4167.1. PHSI
