The role of initial cloud condensation nuclei concentration in hail using the WRF NSSL 2-moment microphysics scheme

The effects of the initial cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations (100-3000 mg(-1)) on hail properties were investigated in an idealized non-severe hail storm experiment using theWeather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with the National Severe Storms Laboratory 2-moment microphysics scheme. The initial CCN concentration (CCNC) had obvious non-monotonic effects on the mixing ratio, number concentrations, and radius of hail, both in clouds and at the surface, with a CCNC threshold between 300 and 500 mg(-1). An increasing CCNC is conducive (suppressive) to the amount of surface hail precipitation below (above) the CCNC threshold. The non-monotonic effects were due to both the thermodynamics and microphysics. Below the CCNC threshold, the mixing ratios of cloud droplets and ice crystals increased dramatically with the increasing CCNC, resulting in more latent heat released from condensation and frozen between 4 and 8 km and intensified updraft volume. The extent of the riming process, which is the primary process for hail production, increased dramatically. Above the CCNC threshold, the mixing ratio of cloud droplets and ice crystals increased continuously, but the maximum updraft volume was weakened because of reduced frozen latent heating at low level. The smaller ice crystals reduced the formation of hail and smaller clouds, with decreased rain water reducing riming efficiency so that graupel and hail also decreased with increasing CCNC, which is unfavorable for hail growth.