Application of radar observations to the evaluation and improvement of high resolution model simulations of cloud populations in MJO (Invited)

S-Pol radar data collected during the 2011 AMIE/DYNAMO field campaign is used to evaluate the performance of microphysical schemes in cloud permitting regional model simulations of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). In general, several of the current state-of-the-art schemes overestimate precipitation from large, deep convective systems. The sensitivity of this bias to various assumptions in microphysics processes of each bulk microphysics scheme is evaluated. Processes that limit the slope of raindrop size distribution for large raindrops, such shattering, are found to be important for realistic simulation of the cloud rain rate statistics. The results of the simulation and field campaign data are used to investigate convective organization, and shallow to deep transition in the context of the November 2011 episode of the MJO.