Improvements to the snow melting process in a partially double moment microphysics parameterization

Examination of the vertical structure of simulated differential reflectivity indicates that the source of the discrepancy between the model and radar observations likely originates within the melting layer. The treatment of number production of rain drops from melting snow in the microphysical scheme is shown to be the ultimate source of the enhancement of differential reflectivity. A modification to the scheme is shown to result in better fidelity of the radar variables with the observations without degrading the short-term intensity forecast.

Additional tests with an idealized squall line simulation are consistent with the hurricane results, suggesting the modification is generally applicable. The modifications to the Thompson-Eidhammer scheme shown here have been incorporated into updates of the WRF model starting with version 3.8.1.