Toward a numerical benchmark for warm rain processes

KiD-A is the first intercomparison to compare multiple Lagrangian cloud models (LCMs), size bin-resolved schemes, and double-moment bulk microphysics schemes in a consistent 1D dynamic framework and box cases. In the absence of sedimentation and collision-coalescence, the drop size distributions (DSDs) from the LCMs exhibit similar evolution with expected physi-cal behaviors and good interscheme agreement, with the volume mean diameter (Dvol) from the LCMs within 1%-5% of each other.

In contrast, the bin schemes exhibit nonphysical broadening with condensational growth. These results further strengthen the case that LCMs are an appropriate numerical benchmark for DSD evolution under condensational growth. When precipitation processes are included, however, the simulated liquid water path, precipitation rates, and response to modified cloud drop/aerosol number concentrations from the LCMs vary substantially, while the bin and bulk schemes are relatively more consistent with each other.