Ice microphysical processes exert a strong control on the simulated radiative energy budget in the tropics

Abstract Simulations of the global climate system at storm-resolving resolutions 2 km are now becoming feasible and show promising realism in clouds precipitation. However, shortcomings their representation microscale processes, like interaction cloud droplets ice crystals with radiation, can still restrict utility. Here, we illustrate how changes to microphysics scheme dramatically alter both vertical profile cloud-radiative heating top-of-atmosphere outgoing longwave radiation (terrestrial infrared cooling) simulations over Asian monsoon region. Poorly-constrained parameters nucleation scheme, overactive conversion snow, inconsistent treatment crystal effective radius between by a factor four domain-mean cooling 30 W m −2 . Vertical resolution, on other hand, has very limited impact. Even state-of-the-art models then, uncertainties properties exert strong control radiative budget that propagates atmospheric circulation regional climate. These need be reduced realize full potential models.