Simulating Closed-to-Open Mesoscale Cellular Convection Over the Southern Ocean: Part II. Perturbed Physics Experiments

Abstract

Accurate representation of mesoscale cellular convective (MCC) cloud morphology over the Southern Ocean is essential for improving climate model parametrizations and reducing projection uncertainties given their highly variable radiative impacts. In this study, we investigate three potential drivers of the organization and transition from closed-to open-cell MCC clouds over the Southern Ocean under post-frontal conditions: (a) sea surface temperature (SST) including its gradients, (b) cloud ice production processes, and (c) microphysical latent cooling. Using a convection-permitting configuration of the WRF model and building on findings from Part I, we evaluate how each driver shapes the mo..