Comparison of Three Cloud Forecast Schemes with In Situ Aircraft Measurements

Abstract
In situ aircraft measurements, collected during three research projects, are used to compare forecasts from three explicit cloud schemes. These schemes include the Canadian operational Sundqvist (SUND) scheme, the Tremblay mixed-phase (MIX) cloud scheme, and the Kong and Yau (KY) cloud scheme. The supercooled liquid water forecast accuracy is also determined for the MIX and KY schemes. For the entire in situ dataset, the three cloud forecast schemes show a similar skill in detecting the presence of clouds, with a true skill statistic ranging between 0.27 and 0.34. Quantitative comparisons of total cloud water content (TWC), supercooled liquid water content (SLWC), and ice water content (IWC) suggest that adjustments for autoconversion thresholds for precipitation formation within the different cloud microphysical schemes would improve forecasts of SLWC, IWC, and TWC.