Identification

Title

Comparison of global Mesoscale Convective System simulations in a Global Storm-Resolving Model and a High-Resolution General Circulation Model

Abstract

This study compares the characteristics of global mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) simulated in a global storm-resolving model (GSRM) and a high-resolution (∼25-km) general circulation model (GCM), both developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. By comparing with two satellite datasets, we examine the spatial distribution, seasonal/diurnal cycles, and event-based features such as duration, size, intensity, and propagation of MCSs across six global hotspots. MCS-related precipitation features and their contribution to the total precipitation are also analyzed. Our results show that both models effectively capture the observed spatial patterns and seasonal cycles of MCSs, although notable differences exist in absolute values, particularly in the GCM. Both models not only simulate event-based statistics but also show large geographical variations with an overall tendency to produce longer-lasting and larger MCSs. The GSRM performs better in simulating MCS diurnal cycle and MCS intensity. While both models replicate spatial patterns of MCS-related precipitation, they struggle with accurately capturing intensity, and their contributions to total precipitation vary. This comparison highlights strengths and limitations of these two types of models, calling for further process-level investigation of model deficiencies and a detailed evaluation of observations due to dataset discrepancies.

Resource type

document

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

https://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7j96bvt

codeSpace

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

geoscientificInformation

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Text

originating controlled vocabulary

title

Resource Type

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

East bounding longitude

North bounding latitude

South bounding latitude

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

End position

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2025-05-15T00:00:00Z

Frequency of update

Quality and validity

Lineage

Conformity

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Limitations on public access

None

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

contact position

OpenSky Support

organisation name

UCAR/NCAR - Library

full postal address

PO Box 3000

Boulder

80307-3000

email address

opensky@ucar.edu

web address

http://opensky.ucar.edu/

name: homepage

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact