Effect of cumulus parameterization on the dynamics of a general circulation model

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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to test a modification of the parameterization of convection in a general circulation model. The analysis is done with a sectorial model. Its resolution is 11 levels and 16·25 grid points. In version A of the model, we use a moist convective adjustment (M.C.A.) wherever the air is conditionally unstable and saturated; in version B, we add a convective scheme to M.C.A. in the case of conditionally unstable but not saturated air. This last scheme is based on the parameterization of Kuo (1965). We compare zonal means and energy cycles of the two versions; improvements in version B seem substantial, essentially in latitude-height distribution of energy variables.