Superior Daily and Sub-Daily Precipitation Statistics for Intense and Long-Lived Storms in Global Storm-Resolving Models

Daily and sub-daily precipitation statistics are investigated from three global model ensembles: (a) global storm-resolving models (GSRMs) with typical horizontal resolutions of similar to 4 km, (b) high-resolution global models with typical resolutions of similar to 50 km and (c) standard-resolution global models with typical resolutions of similar to 100 km. Compared to two satellite rainfall datasets, GSRMs convincingly exhibit superior performance for statistics of heavier rain rate events including their diurnal cycle, spatial propagation and the amount contributed by intense precipitation, but not for statistics of weaker or shorter duration precipitation. Both high- and standard-resolution models fail to simulate the correct phase and amplitude of diurnal cycle of precipitation and the propagating convection in the Central US, but high-resolution models show relative improvement in the distribution of precipitation frequency and amount, especially for intense precipitation.

Automated summary

This study investigates daily and sub-daily precipitation statistics from three global model ensembles. The results show that global storm-resolving models (GSRMs) perform better in statistics of heavier rain rate events, while high-resolution and standard-resolution models fail to accurately simulate the diurnal cycle and propagation of precipitation.